Healthcare costs are taking up an increasing share of people's budgets in Hawai'i, with 262,000 residents now paying more than 10 percent of their income for healthcare.

That's one of the findings of a new study that concluded rising healthcare costs are reaching a crisis level nationally, even among families that have health insurance.

"We found some fairly startling numbers," said Kathleen Stoll, deputy executive director for Families USA, a Washington-based group that advocates affordable healthcare for all. "Many Americans with insurance are struggling to afford their own out-of-pocket costs."

Hawai'i residents are well acquainted with the rising expenses, having seen a steady increase in health insurance premiums and higher copayments and drug costs.

Across the country, the story is much the same, Stoll said, with premiums rising and workers shouldering more of the expense while facing higher deductibles.

The study found that nationally, the number of people younger than 65 who were paying out more than 10 percent of their pretax income had increased to 64.4 million this year from 41.7 million in 2000.

"We are indeed in a state of crisis in affordability," said Stoll, noting that represent- ed 24.3 percent of people younger than 65.

The study prepared by the Lewin Group for Families USA also found: