Mr. Salisbury,

Thanks for providing the facts.

Like many small business mangers, we struggle with the issue of benefits, and our obligation to treat employees with dignity.

Whether right or wrong, I believe we are moving toward a "citizen based," benefits system "with full portability."

This will necessitate a complete overhaul of our health insurance system, with premiums currently based on employer group risk pools.

As we make this transition, the presenting challenge is affordable access to health insurance by individuals.

Our experience has been that healthy young males have few problems arranging individual coverage.

(The biggest problem is convincing them they need it.)

Conversely, persons with pre-existing conditions (most adults) are either denied coverage, or premiums are escalated to discourage enrollment.

I look forward to future articles on the benefits debates.

Wayne Warren

Brazos Solutions

Granbury, Texas