Apparently, I’ve just had a birthday. At least, that’s what the letter from Blue Cross said.

Of course, my actual birthday isn’t until July — so hold off on your good wishes until then, please . And, it’s been a couple of years since I reached one of those dreaded “milestone” birthdays that everyone freaks out about. I’ve got a couple of more years to go until I reach another milestone.

And yet, the letter from Blue Cross said that due to my recent birthday, my health insurance premium was going up about 10 percent.

Some birthday present. I think that’s a pretty hefty increase considering nothing much has changed. But it’s going to take my bi-monthly payments to $2,600+ for a family of four. And since I pay every cent of our health care costs, that’s an extra $1,200 a year I’d rather not be paying.

But it’s emblematic of the rising cost of health insurance, even for four healthy people (which Thank God we are!). Health insurance has been put on an unsustainable trajectory, where only the wealthiest — and perhaps the healthiest — will end up covered.

And that just means more money spend on healthcare for the rest of us. Imagine when the Baby Boomers are all 65+.

I’ll be ranting and raving about this topic and more on my weekly radio program, this Sunday, 11am ET/10am Central. Click on www.wsbradio.com to listen live from wherever you are, or download a podcast at www.itunes.com. You can also call the show at 800-WSB-TALK or (404) 872-0750.

I hope you’ll join me and write in or call in about your own healthcare nightmares.

Feb. 24, 2006