His aim is to charge slightly less than the national average for premiums.

"You got the sense that they are going to be asking for premiums."

Under the bill, the government would define standard drug benefits, available for premiums expected to average $35 a month.

Such policies were supposed to earn enough in interest to pay for later premiums.

That investment grows tax free, paying for future premiums on the policy.

The Bush plan also calls for higher premiums on the institutions' deposit insurance.

If that proves true, employees would pay less for premiums.

Families not eligible for subsidized premiums pay $600 a year.

For higher premiums, $264 and $303 a month, she could get a high-deductible major medical policy with a health savings account.

The same arguments have been made for so many other benefits, premiums and allowances.