The steep rise of health care costs in recent years is apparently making it harder for Americans to save money.
   A quarterly poll of shareholders by the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC) has found that 60% of women and 53% of men say they are saving less because of health care costs.
   The survey, which took responses from 1,100 investors who own individual stocks or stock mutual funds, found that 87% of respondents felt that health care costs would increase over the next year.
   The survey's authors noted that these responses come at about the time that the U.S. personal savings rate has fallen to its second-lowest record in history.
   "With health care costs currently outpacing inflation, it is important to note effects on shareholders and their investment decisions," says Ken Janke, NAIC chairman.