I've worked in or near operations for my entire career and if it were not for $30K/yr cost of medical insurance it would be much cheaper to hire 4 people than 3

I've worked in or near operations for my entire career and if it were not for $30K/yr cost of medical insurance it would be much cheaper to hire 4 people than 3. With 4, when someone is sick or it takes months to replace someone who quit, obviously experience shows 3 can handle the load of 4 much easier than 2 can handle the load of 3.