"Maryland offers very few choices, as many providers will not come into the state due to the sheer volume of regulations and state mandates. I administer our plan and every year I look for alternatives: there are none. Two weeks ago, I received my renewal in the mail and my insurance is increasing again.

"My rate hike this year is 45 percent with our health maintenance organization. This is real money since I absorb all the cost increases for my employees. Since 1996, my company has experienced a 226 percent increase in premiums - how can any business survive with these types of increases over just a few years? This year our rates went from $226 to $265 for an individual; from $476 to $557 for an employee and her spouse; and, the cost skyrockets to $750 a month to add a family, up from $651 only a year ago. I may have no choice but to raise my clients' fees to cover our company's health-care costs, but in this economy, I may then lose these clients to competitors. It's a vicious cycle for business owners."

President, Burlage Associates, testifying before the House Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations