>>>>We got notice today that we will be responsible for 60% of COBRA health insurance premiums for any employee who becomes a non-employee for any reason.
>>>>
>>>>This is up from 0%, and easily means several hundred$/month added expense per person (and more for their family) for anyone who quits or is fired from our company.
>>>>
>>>>We were assuming we would hire 2 developers this year (as opposed to using contractors which we normally do) as we are likely to pick up a very substantial contract within a month. It would have given us a reason to actually expand.
>>>>
>>>>So much for that idea.
>>>>
>>>>ALL small business gets the shaft.
>>>>
>>>>It's official.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for voting in a socialist.
>>>
>>>(yawn)
>>
>>It might be a little more exciting when you go job hunting and no one is hiring...
>
>It's no secret that the job market is in the toilet. The boredom factor for me here is that Obama just took office, inherited a colossal mess, and Bill is eager to blame any and all economic woes on him. That's why I yawned. It's old already.

Then you didn't read his message. Responsibility for 65% of COBRA health insurance premiums for any employee who becomes a non-employee for any reason was not inherited. It was created by the current administration in the stimulus package. However, something William does not mention is that the employer-paid 65% will be reimbursed by the federal government (or so the stimulus package states) so the initial expense is temporary.