Correspondent of the Day
Small Businesses Have Concerns
Editor, Times-Dispatch: As the owner of a small business with approximately 25 employees, I do my best (especially in these difficult times) to provide good benefits while watching my bottom line. I have been watching the health care debate very carefully. Make no mistake, I support many of the reforms presented in the Senate bill. However, I am concerned that while there are many good benefits, this bill would be bad for many small businesses' bottom line.
I fear that many of us who currently carry private insurance will be forced to carry the burden of the additional costs of these reforms. Who's kidding whom? Someone is going to have to pay and it will most likely be us. In the end, this bill will just result in rising costs and higher premiums -- neither of which is good for employers or their employees.
Jack Mayfield.
Richmond.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Mr. Mayfield may be right. Perhaps best to not rush into efforts for affordable health care for all Americans, including those who work for small businesses.
Kaiser Family Foundation research of 2,000+ U.S. employers found average premium cost for one employee with need for family coverage was $13,400 in Y2008, double what it was 8 years earlier and tracking toward $30,000 in 10 years. Perhaps best to wait until Y2019 and see how things stand then.
Did read local news yesterday one employer with 15 employees is looking who to cut when premiums next increase by another double-digit amount. After all, employers must consider total compensation cost per employee and insurer premiums take precedent over any possible funds left for merit raises, expansion of business, or elimination of jobs.
Best to wait until 2019. Perhaps Republican Party will rollout their national health care delivery plan for cost containment before then. Would be a first for them, since they’ve never proposed such since FDR, Truman, other Dems have in past 70 years.
Wonder if Mr. Mayfield has reviewed the premiums for 2009 and 2010 within plans of the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, comparing his total premium cost for family coverage for one employee vs. upcoming 2010 premiums for Aetna Family Plan 225 at $665 per month, Kaiser’s Family Plan E35 at $668, Optima’s Family Plan 9R5 at $839, and UnitedHealth’s Family Plan E95 at $866? How do those full premiums for Y2010 compare with his insurer’s upcoming Jan 1, 2010 premiums? If lower, perhaps Mr. Mayfield would support a national group insurance program that mirrors the one for members of Congress and millions of other Fed employees?
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement