THE ARROGANCE and the unchecked rate increases forced upon us by big health care in this state must come to an end (“Executives snub hearing on rising health care costs,’’ Metro, Jan. 8). Our own five-person office just got hit with a 33 percent increase for 2010, on top of several other years of double-digit increases. We are hearing of similar or even higher increases from mom-and-pop members of our association, all at a time of double-digit revenue drops. Small businesses and their employees have no Group Insurance Commission, no group buying, no real rate regulation, no protection from broker fees, and no ability to save premium dollars under wellness programs. The discrimination in the marketplace between small and big purchasers is a scandal.
It was a year ago that the Globe Spotlight Team brought to light the outrageous “handshake’’ between the largest insurer and largest hospital chain in this state, yet today the increases continue. It is time that we put the payers of health care dollars - consumers, employers (particularly small businesses) and taxpayers - ahead of the receivers of those dollars, the big insurers and hospitals.
Jon B. Hurst
President
Retailers Association of Massachusetts Boston 
