The one-size-fits all approach is often more expensive than individual plans. The big carriers that are group providers are recognizing at least the need if not yet the trend of individuals seeking coverage and are addressing it, she said.

Facilitating that in a broad-based collection of individuals must occur, she said, otherwise "each new hire and termination will continue to drastically affect budgets and the percentage of employer participation, and the problems just keeps getting bigger."

A dynamic as real as any obstacle to employers is the attitude of individuals regarding insurance and health care in general, she said.

"People have more options than they think, and should start now taking an active role in their health-care plans, no matter what the system is doing," Gossage said. "I hear so many people say, 'Oh, I can't wait for my 90-day or whatever waiting period to be over so I can go to the doctor.' That's like saying I have to wait for my auto insurance company to put gas in my car or my homeowner's insurance to turn my the lights on in my house."

There are ways to participate and not just be overwhelmed by the way things are or be limited to what is being said out there, she added.

"We keep hearing about the high number of the uninsured," she said. "But the fact is 45 percent of those without health insurance are uninsured for only six months or less. Portability is important, and most who were covered lose it simply because they have changed jobs. That's where the system is truly breaking down. Individuals are ultimately going to have to break that cycle and start to think critically about their health care. That's where they have have the most impact."

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E-mail: jthalman@desnews.com