A Medicare report that was released on Monday announced that private healthcare costs in Miami are the highest in the nation. An average family living in Miami paid a whopping $20,282 in healthcare costs in 2008, which is almost 21% higher than the national average.

The Milliman Medical Cost Index report held southern Florida in the spotlight specifically because President Barack Obama’s vow to trim $2 trillion in healthcare costs will most likely start there.

The report studies 14 cities, showing that healthcare costs were cheapest in Phoenix, AZ ($14,857 per family), and New York came in close to Miami, with average healthcare costs of $19,684 per family.

The report also explained that the national average is $16,771.

Click here to read the entire article as it appeared in the Miami Herald, Average Family Pays $20,000 in Health Costs.