New York lawmakers are struggling with reconciling major gaps in their upcoming year’s budget, and a tax aimed at health insurance has been proposed to help deal with it. Unfortunately, this would come as a disasterously hard blow on New York health insurance for small businesses and their employees. The proposed millions in taxes, assessments, and surcharges to health insurance would add hundreds of dollars to already pricey health insurance policies. The hardship of these higher prices would force many small businesses to eliminate health benefits to their employees altogether. During this time of health care reform and as Obama focuses on making health insurance more affordable for everyone, why would New York legislatures be working in the oppositte direction?