Guaranteed Healthcare

My name is Ingrid, and I have been employed at the Matheny Medical and Educational Center for the last 18 years. We have always had good insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. My husband is self-employed and so relies on my coverage. I have a 24 year old son who is mentally ill who I keep on my policy as a handicapped dependent so that he can get the great psychiatric care that he needs to stay healthy and out of the hospital. Because of these reasons, I am obligated to pay for a 'family' policy. On April 1, 2009, we were supposed to renew with our current insurer, CIGNA. Unfortunately, they had raised my employer's cost so much that they were unable to renew with them. After much negotation and research, my employer has decided to sign up with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. But their premiums are also extremely high, and so as of June 1, 2009, my bi-weekly premium will be raised from $180.00 per paycheck, to $320.00. That is a difference of $280.00 per month that I will be required to pay. It's the opposite of a raise, or like having a new car payment with out the car. I don't know how my husband and I are going to be able to manage with this additional expense.