A new study by ThomsonReuters finds health care costs for employers increased 7.3percent in 2009, a climb from 6.1 percent 2008.

Analysts at Thomson Reuters are quick to note 2009 was a yearfor negative inflation: "In a year when inflation was non-existent,employer healthcare costs continued to surge," said Chris Justice,author of the report and director of practice leadership for theHealthcare & Science business of Thomson Reuters, in a releasedstatement. "This analysis puts the real-world healthcare challengesfacing employers into perspective. These cost increases have comeat a particularly difficult time for U.S. companies."

The nation's overall health care spending, which includesMedicare and Medicaid, grew at 4.8 percent - modest compared to howmuch employers are paying. And small employers especially arefeeling the pinch.

Among employers with less than 5,000 employees, health carecosts increased 9.8 percent in 2009, nearly double the 5 percentrate seen in 2008.

Medium-sized employers (5,000 to 50,000 employees) saw costincreases accelerate from 6.5 percent in 2008 to 10 percent in2009.

Among large companies (more than 50,000 employees) costs rose 5percent in 2009 -- a decrease from the 5.8 percent recorded in2008.