My husband I have been self-paying members in an Intermountain Healthcare plan for several years.

We joined on a family plan for $356 a month. When my daughter's job provided insurance, I tried to take her off our policy and was informed that our plan was for a family of four, so removing her wouldn't affect our cost. Later, when my husband turned 50, there was a $100 a month increase, and two years later when I turned 50, there was another rate increase. When the cost became unaffordable, we switched to a plan for just us two at a monthly premium of $688, which increased to $754 the next year.

When I read "IHC partners with GE on Web-based medical records" ( Tribune , May 8) to create better care and "profoundly" decrease costs, I laughed, because the savings will not reduce consumers' premiums.

Insurance companies need to be reminded that no company is too big to fail. They should be prepared to line up behind the banks when truly affordable health plans become available.

Nancy Dee Johnson

West Jordan