"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..
From USA TODAY, 8/29/06:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...e_x.htm?csp=34

Americans without health insurance rise as job-based coverage
continues to fall

By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY

Job-based health insurance -- the main way Americans get coverage --
fell for the fifth consecutive year in 2005, helping push the overall
percentage of Americans without health insurance up to 15.9% of the
population.

Since 60% of of this country's workers are employed by small business, it
doesn't surprise me that job-based health insurance fell. As a small
business owner, I don't have the ability to buy health insurance through my
national association (ADA), so I'm at the mercy of the few health insurance
providers who still provide insurance in Florida.

Ergo, it's ridiculously expensive because of lack of competition.
Comparatively, corporations and labor unions can purchase health insurance
across state lines for their employees/members, resulting in greater choice,
greater competion, and greater bargaining power with the insurance
companies. Their rates are much less, and their coverage is much better.

If you want to stop seeing headlines about "job-based health insurance"
falling, then urge your representatives in the Senate to stop obstructing a
vote on S. 1955... The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and
Affordability Act of 2005.

http://www.nfib.com/page/SBHPs.html

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-1955