"As the owner of a 90-person high technology manufacturing company, rising health care expenses continue to affect our ability to expand and make investments in infrastructure. As a small group in a community rated plan, it's hard to feel that we have a seat at the table in controlling these costs. A few years back, in an effort to stem huge increases in health care costs in a tough economic environment, Walco offered our team members the option to switch to a high deductible plan. It was our hope that our team members would effectively become more active consumers and have greater control over their medical costs. Our hopes came true. However, now that they are managing their health care expenses, they do not get the benefit of the savings in the insurance rate. Through the business advisory groups RIBGH hosts with Blue Cross and United, small businesses like mine have direct access to voice our concerns and suggestions for improving the system."
– Ellis Waldman, Walco
