I believe that health care is very important for everyone.  While I do not believe that there is a "right" to health care, which has been discussed elsewhere on this forum, I do believe that as an employer I have a "responsibility" to provide it to my employees.  I have always paid 100% of my employees health care premiums.  It is a standard 80/20 policy where the insured pays 20% of the cost of care until they reach their deductible ($1,000) and then they pay everything.  We can choose our own doctor and we have prescription coverage, but no dental or vision.  Its a pretty good policy. 

The downside is that the costs have soared.  I remember getting a letter one year that said "Good news, your health insurance is only going up 11% this year."  I failed to see the good news.  This year, it went up 15%.  Obviously, things in our business haven't been all that good the past couple of years and those increases are difficult to absorb, but I am still managing because I do believe it is that important.

In addition to seeing the cost rise - the prescription benefit has been cut several times.  It used to cost us $2 for generic drugs and $4 for brand-name drugs.  Today, I believe that it is $10 and $20. 

Something has to change.  At the rate that insurance rates are climbing, it won't be long before we can't afford it.  Many employers stopped paying 100% of the premium years ago, but that just places the burden on the employee and what happens when they can't afford their share anymore? 

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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