An example of how the cost of health care affects the small business owner:

I just quoted a 60 year old man and his spouse for small group health insurance.

$2,500 deductible and 80% co-insurance

Cost is $1,308 per month.

Can you imagine paying over $650 each month for health insurance just for yourself? CRAZY!

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Blind acceptance is a dangerous practice.

That is a lot, but having pre-existing conditions will cause it to be more expensive. People should think how much eating McDonald's 5 times a week to give themselves heart disease or diabetes will do to their insurance premiums. Same with what smoking will do to your lungs.

If you live a healthy lifestyle, your insurance will be low, and thats the personal responsibility people have to take.

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"Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives." — John Stuart Mill

Actually, this couple is paying a higher premium right now on individual insurance. They were only rated up 30%. So, if you take 30% off of $1,388, they're still paying $972/month for insurance. Almost $1,000. That's still a lot of money.

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Blind acceptance is a dangerous practice.

Yes, but what are they're pre-existing conditions?

Is one (or both of them) so fat, that they have their own gravity?

Are either of them chain-smokers?

I find it hard to believe that they're paying a grand a month for insurance, just because "the mean 'ole HMO said so."

Well believe it or not, that's how small group underwriting goes. Mom and Pop groups pay out the ass for insurance.

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Blind acceptance is a dangerous practice.