03-09-2012, 12:48 PM
I had a very interesting, and sobering, discussion with a small business owner today about health care issues. The person I spoke with owns a "mom and pop" business on Hilton Head Island, have been in business in the same place for over 25 years, and have received the "Best of Hilton Head" award for several consecutive years.
I was told today that they are thinking about closing the business down and trying to find work somewhere just for the medical coverage because their premium and deductable costs for the two of them for 2012 is going to be in excess of $37,000. They figured out that it will cost them 110 days of their earnings just to cover the insurance.
The reason for the exorbitant cost has no doubt something to do with their ages, 60'ish, but mostly due to the fact that they cannot get group coverage. Group coverage, which is part of the Affordable Health Care Act, would greatly reduce their insurance costs. Of course, Republicans are on record stating that "on Day One" they would immediately repeal AHCA, while at the same time espousing love for all small business owners.
I was told today that they are thinking about closing the business down and trying to find work somewhere just for the medical coverage because their premium and deductable costs for the two of them for 2012 is going to be in excess of $37,000. They figured out that it will cost them 110 days of their earnings just to cover the insurance.
The reason for the exorbitant cost has no doubt something to do with their ages, 60'ish, but mostly due to the fact that they cannot get group coverage. Group coverage, which is part of the Affordable Health Care Act, would greatly reduce their insurance costs. Of course, Republicans are on record stating that "on Day One" they would immediately repeal AHCA, while at the same time espousing love for all small business owners.