health reform

EDITORIAL: SMALL BUSINESSES NEED HEALTH REFORM NOW


Many politicians and pundits claim that efforts to reform our health system are moving too quickly. Yet for millions of small business owners like me, health reform cannot happen soon enough.

 

By Vince Mudd

 

For 15 years, I have not only provided access to health insurance for my 45 employees and their family members, but also paid 100 percent of their premiums. I do this because I believe that when employees do not have to spend time dealing with the “problem” of health insurance they are more productive in the workplace. My employees live healthier lives. This benefits them, their families, and ultimately my business and society.

 

Despite these mutual gains, providing health insurance to my employees is simply unsustainable. Last year my small business premiums skyrocketed 18 percent. I wish this were surprising. But the truth is my premiums have risen significantly every one of the 15 years I have been buying coverage for my workers. Unfortunately, my health-care-related stress does not end there. Every year I pay tens of thousands of dollars in medical riders on other business-related policies like liability and property insurance, adding further to my health care costs. I want to focus on my business, not health care. The status quo makes this impossible.


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