nfortunate reality is that I will become too costly to employ. ... only be a matter of time before they would find a reason to let me go

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan | 18 Aug 2009 11:35 am

The View From Your Sickbed

I have opted, instead, to purchase very costly insurance through the State of Illinois for persons who have the financial means, but are uninsurable. My monthly premiums are $730.00. Many people don’t understand why I would voluntarily pay $8,760.00 in health insurance premiums a year when better coverage is offered free by my employer. The fact is, if I were covered under my employer’s group plan, I would astronomically raise his rates because we are a very small office. From my personal experience and the experience of my HIV+ friends, insurance companies all but reveal to employers the identity of the employees that have a big affect on premiums. While the insurance carrier may not name names, in a small office such as mine it is easy for the boss to identify the “45 year-old male Caucasian non-smoking employee” referenced by the insurance agent. The implied message is, “get rid of that employee, your rates will become more affordable and we won’t have to insure someone so costly.”

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If I were to go on my employer’s health coverage, the unfortunate reality is that I will become too costly to employ. With small businesses looking for ways to cut costs, it would only be a matter of time before they would find a reason to let me go. I know it is illegal, I am an attorney, but people who do not believe such things happen in America are delusional. Good employees are routinely let go for bogus reasons simply because they jack up the employer’s monthly health insurance premium due to a chronic illness.

The truth is, I’d rather spend $15,000.00 a year and keep my job, rather than go on my employer’s group plan and be looking for work in 3 months.