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As co-owner of a small IT solutions company in Alpharetta, Julie Haley would rather be out networking and snapping up new business instead of spending hours looking for ways to curb her firm’s escalating health insurance costs.

Like small businesses across Georgia and the nation, health care costs for Edge Solutions, which Haley started in 2008, have been jumping by double digits. Haley estimates in the first year alone, health care costs made up 25 percent of operating expenses – in part because without at least 10 employees insurers wouldn’t even bother talking with her.

Instead, she paid pricey continuation coverage of workers’ prior plans to attract the experienced people she needed who were used to great benefits at larger companies.

“It really crippled us,” she said, adding that the exorbitant cost meant growing the business more slowly.

Some relief could be on the way, however, with the creation of a small business insurance exchange in Georgia that experts say could reduce costs for employers and increase plan options for workers.

A committee of local health care experts, lawmakers and community leaders is exploring ways to develop an exchange -- required starting in 2014 under the federal health care law -- and will deliver final legislative recommendations to the governor by Dec. 15. The group is also looking at an exchange for individuals.

While opposing the health care overhaul, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed the committee earlier this year -- saying it made sense to study Georgia-based solutions while the courts decide whether the law is unconstitutional. The federal government will step in to set up exchanges if states don't.

 By Misty Williams

http://www.ajc.com/business/insurance-exchange-could-ease-1208016.html

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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