I would disagree that big business ( big insurance companies specifically) have been more efficient than our government. Any company that raises their fees 15% or more every year should be out of business. Unfortunately, we don't have much choice. Where is this money going to justify the increase? Who is getting rich off us? We know the governmet isn't. It's the insurance companies. We need to put a stop to this and the government is the only entity that can do it at this point. It's not perfec but better than paying 30% increases every year. Let's stop blaming the government for trying to help fix this problem and start going after the insurance industry. I don't mind paying higher taxes if I pay less in insurance and the net is less. We know the government can't raise rates 15% a year, but the insurance industry sure can. 5 years from now you'll wish the government did something about it.

The rise in healthcare is a concern and why I looked for more innovative plans like the Health Savings Plans. If your family is pretty healthy they are definitely a way to go. I was quoted approximately $400. That is half of what I pay working for someone else.

HRAs, HSAs, and the like are more affordable.

Daniel
Small Business Owner
http://www.danieltillman.com

Aaron -- should also add, that's not an individual quote, that's me and THREE KIDS. Probably makes the numbers make more sense for you.

Carol Tice
Contributing Writer

Hi Aaron --

Unfortunately, I'm not in New York! But in a smaller-population state where options aren't quite as good. But rest assured I'll be exploring other options, including maybe going back on my husband's corporate plan, which used to be less favorable by comparison, but I think now is likely looking good. This plan started out as quite affordable, but obviously it isn't anymore. I just thought the amount of the hike was pretty notable. What other type of business could raise rates 30% at a blow in the middle of the downturn?

Thanks for your thoughts --

Carol Tice
contributing writer

What a joke!
How in the world is this country supposed to survive when all it does is choke the ones that work to make it run?
Smells like the modern day Rome... and we all know what happened to them.

I am not sure why you are paying so much but I can personally vouch that, as an individual, you can easily find coverage for much less than costs you are paying now if you are willing to take on a little more personal responsibility...

After reading the article, it took me about 15 minutes to find HSA qualified plans in NY that cost a quarter of what you listed. $155ish a month for an individual 80/20 plan with a $5600 HSA qualified annual deductible. I played with the numbers a little and found another plan for $220ish a month with a $2600 HSA qualified annual deductible. Not only do these plans cost much less for comparable coverage but you also don't need to deal with anywhere near the same amount of paperwork and "insurance company hassles" that we so often hear about. I often get lower rates as well since the physician doesn't need to deal with the hassles either... just swipe the card connected to the HSA account and go about your day. Anything over the annual deductible is covered fully...

So, does this article change my opinions about a National Healthcare system... you bet. I am even MORE against it now than I was before. Big government has historically been shown to be even less efficient than big business so if they are going to charge these exorbitant rates to people who aren't willing to do their homework, imagine how much greater "free" national healthcare will add to the tax-rates.

And before someone mentions the case where people cannot afford even the $135 a month individual plan I found, as I know someone will, how about using the extra $620 a month you save by taking personal responsibility and, after the 9 months it will take to fill up the $5600 deductible, giving half of it to the Red Cross or Schriners Children's Hospital...

Long story short, please stop listening to the Federal scare tactics. It doesn't take all that long to come up with much better solutions and you might even be able to help out a neighbor or 3 in the process without surrendering the freedom to manage your own life in the process...