Trade group declares higher costs will lead to dropped coverage. Kay Lazar, Boston Globe, August 12, 2008 Businesses are balking at a proposed state regulation that, a leading retail group says, will force small companies to spend thousand of dollars more in health insurance for their workers, and could lead many employers to drop coverage altogether. Proposed rules, issued yesterday by Governor Deval Patrick's administration, are intended to help close a gap in funding the landmark healthcare law. The regulations, if adopted, would take effect October 1, and raise about $45 million this fiscal year, according to documents made public yesterday. ... Businesses