Healthcare cost sharing, the norm?

After months of searching I received the great news that my sister finally received a new job offer. What a relief because as a single mother with two kids, it was quite stressful for her since her job was going to end next week, so it's truly excellent news that she has a new job. The downside though is the new employer (a very wealthy business, I can assure you) is sticking her with $450 per month of insurance co-payments. Wow! I knew that insurance co-pays were rising but $5400 per year? Screw the federal tax cuts, what the hell about that? Add to that rising prices at the pump, rising food costs and sagging 401K retirement programs, how can anyone not want change?

Since I no longer live and work over there, is this normal? What do you typically pay where you work? Does anyone still receive free healthcare from their employer?