Using federal government figures, the report from Families USA tracked the number of people in each state who are paying more than 10% of their pre-tax income on health related needs: Insurance, deductibles, co-pays, presecriptions, non-covered and out-of-pocket costs.
It showed two-point-two million Ohio residents were above that threshold in 2008, a 25% increase since 2000. 86% of the people in that category are people who HAVE health insurance.
Deputy Director Kathleen Stoll says the 10% number puts a strain on many family budgets.
KATHLEEN STOLL: "This money may not be 10% neatly stretched out over the course of the year. It may be that the 10% of your annual income is something that you have to come up with tomorrow."
More than 600 thousand Ohioans spent `one-quarter' or more of their income on health - up 25 thousand from 2007.
Families USA is an advocate for health care reform, and Stoll says she hopes its research generates additional support in Washington.
