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Small Business Crunches Numbers on Health Bill
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November 10, 2009
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SMALL BUSINESS HAS fought the health-care bill as too costly. That made Saturday's vote bitter to many of the nation's roughly 30 million such entrepreneurs, if welcome to some.
"With unemployment at a 26-year high, the punitive employer mandates and atrocious new taxes will force small business owners to eliminate jobs and freeze expansion plans at a time when our nation's economy needs small business to thrive," Susan Eckerly, senior vice president of one of the most powerful small-business lobbying groups, the National Federation of Independent Business, said in a statement Saturday.
Added Molly Brogan, spokeswoman for the National Small Business Association: "We have serious concerns about the bill's cost-containment and the long-term implications of the employer mandate and the surcharge tax."
Action now shifts to the Senate, and with many specifics still in doubt, small-business groups are planning to lobby heavily there.
The House bill mandates that employers with payrolls above $500,000 must contribute -- for each full-time employee -- 72.5% of the premium cost for single coverage and 65% of the premium cost for family coverage. The penalty for failing to do so is a 2%-to-6% tax on employers with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 and an 8% tax for employers with payrolls above $750,000.
The Senate, by contrast, has bills that don't have employer mandates but are highly focused on provisions that give tax credits to those that do contribute to premium costs. One bill from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions rewards employers for paying more than 60% of their employees' premiums with tax credits of as much as $1,000 for each single-coverage employee and as much as $2,000 for each family-coverage employee.
Outside Washington, meanwhile, small-business owners are weighing their options and responses.
Sharon Evans, chief executive of CFJ Manufacturing Inc., a promotional-products company in Fort Worth, Texas, said she pays 65% of health-insurance premiums for her 100 employees. If she were mandated to pick up more of the cost, as the House bill requires, she said she would consider dropping insurance and paying a penalty. And various tax rebates, as envisioned by prominent other versions, don't necessarily pass muster with her.
"If you're going to make me pay $100,000 to get everybody insured and you give me an $8,000 tax rebate, well, the answer to that is, pardon my French, 'Hell, no,' " she said. "That's not going to help me out."
Carolyn Morse, president of Powerlung Inc., a Houston medical-device manufacturer, said she hopes a tax credit would help alleviate the cost of paying 100% of health-care expenses for her six employees.
"I would be in a better position to maintain a status quo, rather than go to my employees and say, 'Guys, you're going to have to pay,' " Ms. Morse said.
Under all the bills in Congress right now, Ms. Morse's health insurance would be subsidized, but the amount she would receive would vary based on the amount of the premiums. The House bill provides that employers with fewer than 10 workers who average an annual wage of $20,000 or less get a full credit of 50% of premium costs. That credit amount decreases as employee count and average salary increases, becoming null once the employee count hits 25 or the average salary hits $40,000.
Currently, many employers who don't offer health insurance blame the cost-prohibitive premiums. And those who do say expensive insurance is hindering expansion and hiring. Premiums for single policies rose 74% for small businesses in the past eight years, a 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found. Firms with fewer than 200 workers are expected to pay an average of $12,696 for family-plan premiums and $4,717 for single-person premiums this year.
The price of health insurance is a big concern for Mike Draper, president of Smash, a print-screening and design firm in Des Moines, Iowa. Unlike some business owners, Mr. Draper, who pays 100% of the premiums for his 15 workers, supports a mandate requiring employers to provide health insurance -- as long as small companies get to offer better insurance plans at a more attractive price.
"If the government offers to pay for 50% of my insurance, I'll say 'sure,' " Mr. Draper said. "But from a macro level, I don't see how that will bring cost down -- that's just selling the same crap but subsidizing it."
Write to Emily Maltby at emily.maltby@wsj.com and Raymund Flandez at raymund.flandez@wsj.com
"With unemployment at a 26-year high, the punitive employer mandates and atrocious new taxes will force small business owners to eliminate jobs and freeze expansion plans at a time when our nation's economy needs small business to thrive," Susan Eckerly, senior vice president of one of the most powerful small-business lobbying groups, the National Federation of Independent Business, said in a statement Saturday.
Added Molly Brogan, spokeswoman for the National Small Business Association: "We have serious concerns about the bill's cost-containment and the long-term implications of the employer mandate and the surcharge tax."
Action now shifts to the Senate, and with many specifics still in doubt, small-business groups are planning to lobby heavily there.
The House bill mandates that employers with payrolls above $500,000 must contribute -- for each full-time employee -- 72.5% of the premium cost for single coverage and 65% of the premium cost for family coverage. The penalty for failing to do so is a 2%-to-6% tax on employers with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 and an 8% tax for employers with payrolls above $750,000.
The Senate, by contrast, has bills that don't have employer mandates but are highly focused on provisions that give tax credits to those that do contribute to premium costs. One bill from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions rewards employers for paying more than 60% of their employees' premiums with tax credits of as much as $1,000 for each single-coverage employee and as much as $2,000 for each family-coverage employee.
Outside Washington, meanwhile, small-business owners are weighing their options and responses.
Sharon Evans, chief executive of CFJ Manufacturing Inc., a promotional-products company in Fort Worth, Texas, said she pays 65% of health-insurance premiums for her 100 employees. If she were mandated to pick up more of the cost, as the House bill requires, she said she would consider dropping insurance and paying a penalty. And various tax rebates, as envisioned by prominent other versions, don't necessarily pass muster with her.
"If you're going to make me pay $100,000 to get everybody insured and you give me an $8,000 tax rebate, well, the answer to that is, pardon my French, 'Hell, no,' " she said. "That's not going to help me out."
Carolyn Morse, president of Powerlung Inc., a Houston medical-device manufacturer, said she hopes a tax credit would help alleviate the cost of paying 100% of health-care expenses for her six employees.
"I would be in a better position to maintain a status quo, rather than go to my employees and say, 'Guys, you're going to have to pay,' " Ms. Morse said.
Under all the bills in Congress right now, Ms. Morse's health insurance would be subsidized, but the amount she would receive would vary based on the amount of the premiums. The House bill provides that employers with fewer than 10 workers who average an annual wage of $20,000 or less get a full credit of 50% of premium costs. That credit amount decreases as employee count and average salary increases, becoming null once the employee count hits 25 or the average salary hits $40,000.
Currently, many employers who don't offer health insurance blame the cost-prohibitive premiums. And those who do say expensive insurance is hindering expansion and hiring. Premiums for single policies rose 74% for small businesses in the past eight years, a 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation survey found. Firms with fewer than 200 workers are expected to pay an average of $12,696 for family-plan premiums and $4,717 for single-person premiums this year.
The price of health insurance is a big concern for Mike Draper, president of Smash, a print-screening and design firm in Des Moines, Iowa. Unlike some business owners, Mr. Draper, who pays 100% of the premiums for his 15 workers, supports a mandate requiring employers to provide health insurance -- as long as small companies get to offer better insurance plans at a more attractive price.
"If the government offers to pay for 50% of my insurance, I'll say 'sure,' " Mr. Draper said. "But from a macro level, I don't see how that will bring cost down -- that's just selling the same crap but subsidizing it."
Write to Emily Maltby at emily.maltby@wsj.com and Raymund Flandez at raymund.flandez@wsj.com
Last 5 Comments
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T.J. | Posted: 11:06 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| (sorry about the unintended double post).. Layne, the worst part of your situation is the music it is to the politicians ears. With the private sector unable to manage childcare/education before 5 years of age, they will simply have to expand the public school system to include toddlers. The federal government might feign reluctance to compete with the private sector, but they have no qualms about knocking it out of the way pre-emptively, and then stepping in to save the day. Unless 'we the people' (left, right, rep, or dem) find our common libertarian ground (and there is a LOT of it), and find it fast, our (so-called) two party system will end our way of life. |
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T.J. | Posted: 10:54 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| We can't smoke in the restaurants we own, we can't hunt on the land we own, we can't pray in the schools we pay for, and now our so-called leaders, Rep and Dem, are actually comtemplating a bill that would FORCE people to have health insurance. Their definiton of making it affordable? Make it more expensive not to have it by levying taxes and fines! O.M.G... what have we let this country become? I, and millions of the other uninsured, don't have insurance, because WE DON'T WANT IT! Folks, when they can tell you that you have to have health insurance, they can tell you what to eat, drink, and how to live your life. EVERYTHING you do from eating too much sugar to letting your kids play football is a burden to the risk pool you are were forced into, and can be controlled in the name of the 'public good'. Welcome to the future. | ||
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T.J. | Posted: 10:10 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| We can't smoke in the restaurants we own, we can't hunt on the land we own, we can't pray in the schools we pay for, and now our so-called leaders, Rep and Dem, are actually comtemplating a bill that would FORCE people to have health insurance. Their definiton of making it affordable? Make it more expensive not to have it by levying taxes and fines! O.M.G... what have we let this country become? I, and millions of the other uninsured, don't have insurance, because WE DON'T WANT IT! Folks, when they can tell you that you have to have health insurance, they can tell you what to eat, drink, and how to live your life. EVERYTHING you do from eating too much sugar to letting your kids play football is a burden to the risk pool you are were forced into, and can be controlled in the name of the 'public good'. Welcome to the future. | ||
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Layne | Posted: 5:51 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| As a preschool owner and director, we are required to have staff to child ratios. Most preschools struggle financially. We cannot reduce our staff, because of state mandated ratios. This bill will force many of us out of business. Raising tuition to cover the cost of insurance would make childcare unaffordable. Our industry fears this bill. But then again, our customers can't vote | ||
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Tana | Posted: 5:34 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| As a small business owner I feel this bill is a death sentence. When Obama says, 'If you are happy with your current insurance, you can keep it', thats not true. It is up to your employer whether or not they can afford to keep it. The mandates that the bill imposes will be a financial burden to my business. Therefore, downsizing will be the only way to cope. If this bill passes as is, you will see massive layoffs from the small business sector. Do we need to reform healthcare, yes - but not in it's current form. The government is also depending heavily on money that will be generated from 'non compliance' once the bill goes into effect. Business's will be forced to hire someone just to make sure that they are in compliance to avoid fines that will be imposed. You think the unemployment rate is high now? I worked 60 -70 hours a week for the past seven years building a business that the government is going to destroy. This bill scares the hell out of me. |
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luminous | Posted: 5:08 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| 'priceless', why are you radical, lefty, social-parasites always so angry? now, if you really want to be scrupulous, f.d.r. is fundamentally responsible for the welfare state as we know it. you should actually be ecstatic. in obama, you people elected as president the most dangerously unqualified, bigoted, clueless, immature, incompetent, thin-skinned, cry-baby, hack in american history. this phony, lying, fraud has one main objective, and that's to create the most expansive welfare state known to man (the 'new deal' and 'great society' will pale in comparison). so all of you progressive, social-parasites out there should be rejoicing now. your socialist n' chief will put everyone on the government dole, and just as nancy 'ping-pong eyeballs' pelosi said, if we don't cooperate with their trillion dollar, permanently destructive, rationed, assualt on our health care system, than it's off to jail. so celebrate genius, you're finally getting the tyranny that you've always wanted. | ||
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StockMarketPro | Posted: 5:03 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| This is one f*cked up country. Two different countries. Two different people. The Republicans are a**holes. And the Democrats are bit stupid. They keep trying to get Republicans to agree with them, but it'll never happen in a million years. The United States is a f*cked up country. I hope everyone who voted for GW BUSH is out of a job and in foreclosure. F*ck all of you. |
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Science teacher formerly business manager | Posted: 4:43 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| Part 2 Not only would general businesses restrict hiring or close up, but doctors themselves would quit the practice, and this would lead to a very bad shortage of needed care. The government made medicare pay very little to doctors, and if they do that for the whole population, students now in med school or pre-med will decide it's not worth it to spend many years in med school and residence working long hours and taking out loans so that eventually one day they'll get paid less than assembly line workers, and deal with all the government regulations and red tape and paperwork. Obviously there are special interests who lobby the states to limit competition, so you can't buy interstate. All this can be confirmed, as stated by many others who post here and on other blogs. |
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Science teacher formerly business manager | Posted: 4:38 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| The 'good news' is that according to several prominent Senators, Nancy's 2000 pages of trash is not going to get anywhere in the Senate. The dems are not interested in driving down the cost of healthcare for individuals and small businesses, but it's essentially a political payback. They are omitting tort reform, which has been shown to do wonders in the state of Texas. Doctors have returned to the state. The total avoidance of this is due to their political alliance and contributions from the trial lawyers. AARP and AMA are special interest groups--AARP stands to make money by selling its form of insurance, rather than the Medicare advantage. The AMA is mostly researchers who are part of left-leaning academia, not so much the doctors who are actually treating patients. Likely, some of the bigwigs in the AMA would be tapped to be administrators for the government bureaucracies (over 100 new agencies!!) in these 2000 pages, including the death panels. |
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priceless | Posted: 3:00 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| I am not supprised at the ignorance of the American people,they are their own worst enemy. They flew flags after 911, they were applauding when we build hospitals, schools,roads,powerplants, and every thing else in Iraq we are spending trillions,but 45,000 Americans die every year because we don't have any health care,and it does not mean a thing,how evil is that, for a socalled christian nation,do you think it is better to spend money for war than to save life, God says what you have done to the least of these you have done it unto me. The Republicans have been a disaster for America,they wiped-out the banks under Hoover,it took a Democrat to save America, then came Nixon,Regan,and Bush they wipedout the savings and loan and another Democrat Bill Clinton saved America again, and left a surplus then another Republican named Bush destroyed everthing, it is going to take another Democrat Barack Obama to save America. stop being a lapdog for the Repubs |
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Stonewall | Posted: 2:43 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| Small business owners greed; Have overpriced homes, drive expensive cars, belonging to clubs, eat out, steal money from their business & Put on expense accounts, to live high society. Doctors and the medical professions are doing the same. They should be in jail for fraud. Employees cutting grass, illegal work on their homes. Corrupt wall street, politicians have more interest in. Bailout biggest fraud ever. Let Politicians have shorter terms and a limit. Our entire armed service, retiree's and are government covered as is all over 65 with medical plans, wars that last forever; limbs and mental problems galore. Years ago they would have died on the field of war, but now we can keep them alive to get free care and money too. We need to stop having wars and let other countries find their own solutions as our government needs more help than they do; so we can live in these nice overpriced homes. | ||
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Brian M PA | Posted: 12:32 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| Nobody is acting like it is perfect. Sure it's broke like everything else that our government touches. But why can't we just fix what is broken? He we have Jail time included in it, and Huge fines, along with another burden on small businesses. Democrats and Republicans in government are the real prolem. Not to mention Mexicans, Welfare, Social Security Fraud,and a million more things. Now we have this super expensive 'GREEN' thing going on in America, with many new positions created in government to police this garbage. Funny thing is OBAMA is taking the heat for both parties and their years of corruption. He was the final nail in the coffin. By the way here in Pa You can now get unemployment for 99 weeks. WOW! Max rate is $583.00 week- neat huh! |
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Brian M PA | Posted: 12:20 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| Nobody is acting like it is perfect. Sure it's broke like everything else that our government touches. But why can't we just fix what is broken? He we have Jail time included in it, and Huge fines, along with another burden on small businesses. Democrats and Republicans in government are the real prolem. Not to mention Mexicans, Welfare, Social Security Fraud,and a million more things. Now we have this super expensive 'GREEN' thing going on in America, with many new positions created in government to police this garbage. Funny thing is OBAMA is taking the heat for both parties and their years of corruption. He was the final nail in the coffin. By the way here in Pa You can now get unemployment for 99 weeks. WOW! Max rate is $583.00 week- neat huh! |
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Michael Biggs | Posted: 12:12 AM On November 13, 2009 |
| It is important to remember that medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the US. People should not act like our system is perfect now. |
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Sandy | Posted: 11:46 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Oh my God, I went to this email address and had a chance to talk to this Dr. Bennitchi. My lord people everyone should go there and talk to this man. He will make you mad as hell and Glad as hell and make you want to fight like hell. And he has tons of right answers. If we all listen to him, we could solve a lot of our problems. The things that go on in medicine are horrible and you will learn a lot. Honest people we just need to talk to the right people. If you want to be informed go to Italiansi@aol.com Talk to this Doctor Bennitchi | ||
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Brian M. - PA | Posted: 11:40 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Here is my healthcare plan with a payroll at just over 500K' I will close up shop and send all 30 plus employees to the unemployment line, including myself. Unemployment pays $583.00 week in Pa for 99 months. We haven't made money in 2 years. Workers Comp is destroying our company along with the Amish and Mexicans stealing the jobs here in State College,PA. We Can't afford it period. We don't have it now, and don't need it. Hell it doesn't cover s!*t, anyhow I'm sure. Washington DC needs a serious overhall. I am about to lay off 20 plus guys anyhow since the construction industry is s!*t. It's probably cheaper to become a criminal.. Maybe here in PA that is what they figured when they did the budget, alotting more for prisons than schools. BOTH PARTIES SUCK! How about Timothy Geitner cheating on taxes, but Nicholas Cage is in big trouble right now for it.. |
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PCS | Posted: 11:28 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Get rid of all the Democrats now in office, starting with Obama. They are all a bunch of liers. They are supposed to represent the people. Did they ask us if we wanted this health care reform. NO!!! | ||
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Tim | Posted: 10:08 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| In a nut shell. The system is mess up for sure. How can the average family afford $500-$600 or more for health insurance a month while also meeting their deductables,co-pay for each member of their family throughout the year. Just because you make your premiums, treatment is not free. Oh yea what if you lose your job and have not just you but a family member with a pre-existing condition. You can get cobra for 18 months for $1200 - $1300 a month, if you can afford it and it is available. If not add a pre-existing condition and forget about it, your on your way to ruin. I do not want something for nothing, just affordable health insurance, pre-existing conditions or not. If I lost my job I would have to go wihtout. How do you pay for it when your unemployment check isn't enough to cover your other basic needs? Situation is not good. | ||
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T.J. | Posted: 9:46 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Most small businesses will continue to adjust their practices as they have for years as more and more requirements and regulations make having true, full time empolyees a hassle not worth dealing with. Many businesses got employees 'off the books' years ago, in favor of paying cash, or '1099ing' them. I will not EVER grow my business to a point I need full time employees- IT'S NOT WORTH IT ALREADY! Imagine what it will be like after this health care bill disaster! In the long run, it will eliminate the 'small' business altogether. There will be 'micro' businesses like mine, a few giant corporations, and of course the federal governement which will become the largest employer of Americans in fewer than 20 years. Health care reform is the final blow to America as we know it, and have been letting slip away for 60 years. America used to be the greatest country in the world to live and work, now its just sucks the least. | ||
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what the who now? | Posted: 9:27 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| It's very interesting how many people actually think the President is anything more than a puppet for the people behind the scenes that no one has ever heard of. FYI,'generational', not a word. | ||
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statbiz1@aol.com | Posted: 8:54 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I too am a small small business owner (me and four others), and I actually have more work than I can do right now but I am so afraid of hiring anyone because of this Healthcare bill, in whatever form it takes. We are doing okay and I think I can afford premium increases even if I expand by two needed employees but it the management and reporting back to the state and the unknown requirements etc. I don't have a HR department so I do that part myself and its impossible to do budgets for next year. I think its ironic that this legislation is actually preventing people from getting back to work. I have one person identified to hire but I have to wait, while she is on unemployment until I know what my final costs will be...Sad really | ||
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MCGRADYSR@AOL.COM | Posted: 7:58 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I,VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 41 YRS, RAISED 3 OF OUR KIDS, WITH NO HELP & NOW BEEN RAISING GRANDKIDS FOR 20 YRS. BEEN SELF EMPLOYED FOR 33 YRS & AS GOD IS MY WITNESS, WORKED 75 HRS A WEEK TO MAKE IT. HAD SOME REALLLY GOOD YRS, THANK GOD. BUT, NOW AFTER NUMEROUS SURGERIES, AM NOT ABLE TO WORK THAT HARD ANYMORE. NOW, WITH MY WIFES RAPIDLY DECLINING HEALTH, WE,RE SUNK. IN THE PAST YEAR WENT BANKRUPT & ABOUT TO LOSE OUR HOME. 2 YRS AGO, HAD CREDIT RATING WELL OVER 700 BUT NOT NOW. THINGS CHANGE!!! IT IS SO EASY TO CRITICIZE UNTILL YOU'VE BEEN THERE. JUST HOPE & PRAY FOR THE BEST, DAVE |
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Cathy C. | Posted: 7:54 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Want to put America back to work again, Well, get off our butts and HELP put a plug in all these various Visa programs now being used by so many of these corporations. They keep being over more and more–hit loads of these H1B Visa people from India that keep steal all our high technology jobs from American workers. Want to get an eye full of what’s happening, someone needs to come on out here to Silicon Valley, CA and see what’s coming and going from all these buildings. Done-for Micro Systems, to Dintel…Same old story, “Their all doing it”.. What’s worse, these same corporations that claim, should they can’t hire American workers to fill these positions because they would go broke. “It all BS”..They are giving away all sorts of sideline benifits to all these Indian workers, all to the loss of us the US tax payers. I say we really need to put the screws to them, take away all their tax loopholes, then go after their ability to use our Immigration department as they wish, | ||
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Small Tech Biz feedback | Posted: 7:48 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I am so tired of hearing stimulus...health care...and get the economy growing..more jobs and better pay This economy is where it is from the rich getter richer and the middle class getting poorer. I only have one thing to say...when the middle class is not paying taxes...then we have a bigger problem than the health bill Stimulate jobs...by giving small business money to creat new jobs. No more mandates or giving stimulus money for roads and other short term fixes.. we need jobs..more raw material / high tech jobs here in the USA. Stop forcing businees to overseas manufacturers...we cannot survive on service jobs in this economy alone. Health care needs to be fixed in the healthcare industry...not at the workers level ..or small business owners expense. Write a bill that will help small business pay healthcare premiums or lower costs... |
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AEV | Posted: 7:41 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| We have been in business for 40 years. If this passes as is I will close our company and 35 employees will have to find work eleswhere. Sorry but I do not want to work for the goverment. | ||
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CHANGE PRESIDENT | Posted: 7:07 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. We need a change in the White House. We don’t need Obama or Bush characters. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE. From the top to the bottom. |
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SMART | Posted: 6:59 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| The only people this will help is the same ones on welfare. Most of them, second, third and fourth generational. The same dirt bags will get it free. Just like now. They go to clinics and we the tax payers pay for them. The only change we need is the president, congress and senate. Not, “God bless America” because God’s not going to bless a mess! It’s, God help America. | ||
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JKCow | Posted: 6:40 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I own a small business with 6 employees. Our current health insurance runs $1350 a month per family and $495 a month for an individual. Blue Cross sent me a notice that the expected 5 year premium under this plan will raise by 86%. If this happens my premiums will cost $2500.00 per family. I will have to downsize my business as I won't be able to afford to pay their wages if this happens. Say goodbye to a lot of small business jobs in America. I hope welfare can handle the new burden that this will create. | ||
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Norman Ellis | Posted: 6:38 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Look for too many years as an employee, I have seen other workers on the job being treated like they are not important. With out employees, you lose production, with out production you lose clients. Stop looking at your pocket book, and looking at the cause. It isn't the government! it is the decades of insurance and medical groups increasing cost on us. but yet hospitals understaff their facilities, and insurance companies increase premiums and continue to declien claims and coverage. If labor cost is an issue, look into hiring through a skilled labor union. I am a union contractor and hold a contract agreement with a labor union. aquiring a union agreement will put you in a co - op health fund, that you can vote on coverage and cost to help maintain your overhead cost for health coverage. No solo funding, no having to fight the insurance providor on coverage or cost increase, and you have resources to all the labor you need. | ||
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Dave | Posted: 6:37 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I have already told my employees that if this becomes law I am closing the doors to the business. I am afraid I will have to put 6 people out of work because I will not be able to afford to stay in business if illegal’s can do the same things my company does without paying any taxes or fines or penalties and my own Government keeps protecting them. Also with all this bureaucracy and paperwork and worry it's not even fun or worthwhile to even try to get ahead. This Socialist Government is going to just take it all away anyway. It seems they are forcing me to just look out for myself and not look to make my life better for me or my employees. Seems they want to control everyone's life and future. I may move to Mexico become a Mexican citizen and sneak back across the border to get anywhere or be a success in this country. Hasta La Vista USA!! ; ) | ||
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MsVirtuous1 | Posted: 6:35 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| It surprises me how ignorant some people are....as a small business owner, you would rather not support a bill, that could offer benefits to your new hires, in hopes of attracting more qualified employees, that could potentially bring in more profits and growth! Stupid is, as stupid does! Thank you President Obama for giving us intelligent leadership and hope for a better future! | ||
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Healthcare Considerations | Posted: 6:26 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| WE have the responsibility to learn what makes this economic part of our lives work for us instead of against us. Most of us haven't a clue. My business provides an educational program that does just that, and I hope we can teach each Americans what they need to know to manage their healthcare finances. If we can do that, we can change the world without government intervention. It starts with the public being educated. Although I have no employees, when I do this will be their first required training. | ||
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Healthcare Considerations | Posted: 6:26 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Consumers have the power to manage markets without interference in any arena except this one. Why? Because health insurance has blinded us to the actual costs for the health services we purchase. This is the only financial part of our lives that we have no idea about. Purchasing helathcare in America today is tantamount to walking out of the grocery store with a cart full of groceries without knowing what they cost. What is preposterous in any other financial trnasactions we make is accepted in healthcare delivery. |
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Healthcare Considerations | Posted: 6:24 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| We the people...are responsible not only for our government, but also for our own health and paying the bill when we are sick. The problem not addressed by anyone in this debate is that it is the medical consumer, removed from the financial part of their healthcare by third party reimbursements back in the 70's, who is the driver in cotrolling costs of healthcare. I have experience as a health professional, health insurance representative providing customer service for health plans, health benefits manager for 75,000 lives with a $35M monthly spend, and now as a small business owner. I can surely tell you that if medical consumers, that's ME and YOU, knew how the healthcare delivery system really works from an economic perspective and effectively maneuver in it, we would see costs come down without doing anything else. | ||
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Paula | Posted: 6:14 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Goverment Won't listen to the people They don't give a rats ass what we think NOBODY WANTS This plan They need someone w/ enough Gutts so say LISTEN IF you want this health Bill You need to take this plan yourself and You have to pay for it yourself Cause This is one person that will not pay for someone to get a free ride. | ||
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Steve | Posted: 6:13 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Hope and Change I keep saying to myself. God help us when we see what the price of a hamburger will cost us. I hope this Change doesn't kill me. | ||
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bseely | Posted: 6:01 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Don't shut your small business - hire people over 65 who are able to be on Medicare! The most experienced, the people with work ethics and no child care to have to be worried about. | ||
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Wanna Be Illegal | Posted: 5:29 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Just want to know which line I should stand in: Spanish speaking Freebies Unemployment Illegal Immigrant Underinsured Self sufficient without the governments help: OH Yes sign me up for this. Now deara over-priced governemnt of mine, get the hell out of my pocket |
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hotspringspark | Posted: 5:23 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Nope! you can't pin this one on Bush, not this time. This communist, government health care take over attempt is all BO Clown's doing. BO Clown and BO Clown alone started this mess. | ||
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KEN | Posted: 5:15 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| IF OUR GOVERMENT WOULD CUT INHALF OUR TAX MONEY IT SENDS OUT OF THE COUNTRY... THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIT THE WHOLE BILL AND GIVE US HEALTH CARE......IF YOU NEW HOW RICH THEY ARE,,, YOU WOULD PUKE.....INSTED WE ARE USED AS SLAVES ,, AN ENLESS RESORCE TO BE TAXED TO FULLFILL ALL THEIR DREAMS.... NOT AT ALL OURS..... I HAD TO RESENTLY SHUT MY FAMILIES BUSINESS AFTER 33 YEARS BECAUSE OF THEIR GREED AND THE MEGA CORPERATIONS I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DO BUSINESS WITH... AND THEY DON'T CARE ... SIMPLY BECAUSE THEIR IS ALLWAYS ANOTHER ASS TO FILL MY SEAT,,,, THEN THEY SUCK HIM DRY,,, AND SO ON AND SOFORTH | ||
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Doug | Posted: 5:14 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Where will we be in 5 years? Where will we be in 10 years? Keep Voting the way this country has and you all will be in the Soviet Union of America with a Berlin Wall keeping you in and illegal's running away by then. Stand up for our rights. Call, email, write, & Protest this so called Goverment and there unconstitutional laws they vote on! My Grand parents would be assamed of this Country as they were the greatest Americans to defend this once Great Country !!!! Wake up people and fight for our America! We need to be Great again! The Day of 9/11 made all of us mad but every house had the same look hanging from the front porch. Where are all the Flags now? Every sport game that went on after 9/11 gave all of us more strength and we were PROUD! Find that part of you again and rise up and take BACK what is OURS. GOD BLESS US ALL! |
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Doug | Posted: 5:14 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Where will we be in 5 years? Where will we be in 10 years? Keep Voting the way this country has and you all will be in the Soviet Union of America with a Berlin Wall keeping you in and illegal's running away by then. Stand up for our rights. Call, email, write, & Protest this so called Goverment and there unconstitutional laws they vote on! My Grand parents would be assamed of this Country as they were the greatest Americans to defend this once Great Country !!!! Wake up people and fight for our America! We need to be Great again! The Day of 9/11 made all of us mad but every house had the same look hanging from the front porch. Where are all the Flags now? Every sport game that went on after 9/11 gave all of us more strength and we were PROUD! Find that part of you again and rise up and take BACK what is OURS. GOD BLESS US ALL! |
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Doug | Posted: 5:13 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Where will we be in 5 years? Where will we be in 10 years? Keep Voting the way this country has and you all will be in the Soviet Union of America with a Berlin Wall keeping you in and illegal's running away by then. Stand up for our rights. Call, email, write, & Protest this so called Goverment and there unconstitutional laws they vote on! My Grand parents would be assamed of this Country as they were the greatest Americans to defend this once Great Country !!!! Wake up people and fight for our America! We need to be Great again! The Day of 9/11 made all of us mad but every house had the same look hanging from the front porch. Where are all the Flags now? Every sport game that went on after 9/11 gave all of us more strength and we were PROUD! Find that part of you again and rise up and take BACK what is OURS. GOD BLESS US ALL! |
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Jesus | Posted: 5:07 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| As a small business owner, I welcome the opportunity to be pooled with other small businesses to get better rates. Whether or not you provide insurance is a key consideration for perspective hires. If we all have access to the rates that big corporations have, we will hire more because we would have better candidates that will accept our offers. I have not hired because the applicants that I like cannot afford to take a job without health coverage. That's a fact of life for us small businesses! | ||
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Angie | Posted: 4:53 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Know the facts, don't be freightened by scare tactics. Read for yourself, and base your views on the words of people who are friends of those who own the Mega-Insurance Monsters. If you're going to oppose something, at least make sure you have an informed argument. http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf |
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Citizen | Posted: 4:51 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Time to re-read Atlas Shrugged. | ||
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eathis | Posted: 4:42 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I am a small business owner, with 5 employees. Already struggling to make their payroll on time. If I have to provide healthcare insurance or any other additional expenses for hiring folks I will lay them off. My wife and I can run the business by ourselves and make a livable income and not suffer the way we do now. Mr. Obama (would call you President if you acted like one) I will probably not vote for any Democrat for as long as I live....and that's a fact, JACK!!!! | ||
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Disgusted at the whole process | Posted: 4:27 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Why not make the simple and effective fixes first? I have written to my senators and congress people with the following four suggestions: 1. Remove the antitrust exemption from the insurance industry; 2. Allow the sale of insurance across state lines; 3. Provide for medical malpractice tort reform; and, 4. Have the US govt assist the pharma companies to negotiate drug sales prices with foreign countries so the US consumer doesn't subsidize the rest of the world. If these suggestions prove inadequate, they can then incrementally work on the rest. |
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Aimee | Posted: 3:33 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I'm worried about the mandates on individuals as well. Who does the government think they are telling free citizens what they have to buy? | ||
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doug | Posted: 3:32 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Call, E=mail or mail you senator Today and tell them how you feel http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Fix what is broke first! Fraud / RED TAPE in medicare/medicade. Make those work first before you ad more taxes and dept. |
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Provide or Pay? | Posted: 3:03 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Let's hope the Final Bill will not penalize small business via more business 'taxes'. Tax in the sense that the law will require business to 'provide' health care insurance for their employees. As a small business owner I can understand issuing a dollar amount to each employee for health insurance coverage, but why should business get involved with shopping or selecting the health plan for the employee? Give the employee the money allocated for health insurance premiums and allow the employee to shop for his/her own coverage. Reimburse the business for this via tax credits. 2. The problem is not the cost of health care as much as it is the cost of health care insurance (premiums). This Bill could save about 30% off the cost of processing each insurance claim and hopefully the cost of premiums. Let's offer choice via good, better, best health plans but lets standardize them from state to state. |
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Oh Please | Posted: 2:54 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| How DARE the government take over health care...does our US constitution provide the RIGHT to free care or for every illegal alien in this country to receive free care? Guess who is going to pay for it!!! Those of us who get off of our asses everyday and go to work. In the meantime, is it constitutional for the US gov to go into the health care business???? NO!!! What's next, are they going to tell the lawyers - you charge to much, your services should be free. Or hey, how about a building contractor - you are making to much money, you can only make 10% on a building. Then, they're going to tell us what day we can go to church on! Get real people...Obama and the democrats are moving you and I into a socialistic country. While most people sit at home saying, yea...change, its all good...so glad I voted for Obama. WAKE UP!!! | ||
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Jake | Posted: 2:28 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Mike, 500 deduct. & 130/mo. is great. I pay 2000 deduct & 619/mo. I'm approx. your age & health w/ a 16 son. Allow us to purchase across state lines and sit & watch the premiums drop! Insurance of all types is very basic, charge your customer for services and hope they never use it!! If you use it you are penalized w/ premium increases and additional paper work. I have watched the auto industry first hand as it has taken over independant garages and forced us to use infearior/used parts so they can keep the profits high. The government option will drive down costs but will also drive down quality. The health ins. would appreciate be able to 'dump' their bad apples on this program because it immediately increases the profit! Baby steps = competition first, it's the American way. | ||
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Nick Pellatier | Posted: 1:55 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| It is interesting to read some of the comments that are posted. We all sound like a bunch of people crying for help and no one there to give us a hand. People you all are to blame, you wished for and voted for this smooth talking guy you voted in. He is and will kill our country. but onto another subject. The young lady who wanted to contact this Doctor Bennitchi. his close friend is located at 'Italiansi@aol.com' I'm sure if you contact him he will be able to put you in touch with him. Plus Yes I read the book also and I agree with you. it will make you mad and sad. | ||
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T.J. | Posted: 1:47 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Most small businesses will continue to adjust their practices as they have for years as more and more requirements and regulations make having true, full time empolyees a hassle not worth dealing with. Many businesses got employees 'off the books' years ago, in favor of paying cash, or '1099ing' them. I will not EVER grow my business to a point I need full time employees- IT'S NOT WORTH IT ALREADY! Imagine what it will be like after this health care bill disaster! In the long run, it will eliminate the 'small' business altogether. There will be 'micro' businesses like mine, a few giant corporations, and of course the federal governement which will become the largest employer of Americans in fewer than 20 years. Health care reform is the final blow to America as we know it, and have been letting slip away for 60 years. America used to be the greatest country in the world to live and work, now its just sucks the least. | ||
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BILL | Posted: 1:43 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| WHO ARE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE THAT BLAME OUR CURRENT GOVERMENT? WHERE WERE THEY THE LAST EIGHT YEARS? WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE WORLD WHEN WE HAVE THESE HIGH MEDICAL COST AND LEGAL COSTS. TOO MANY LAWYERS AND NOT ENOUGH DOCTORS AND NURSES AND HOSPITALS THAT LOOK LIKE FIRST CLASS HOTELS. |
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Sandy Handson | Posted: 1:40 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I was interested in what this Doctor Bennitchi said and was wondering what he meant. I wish he would get back with us and let us know where we can reach him I sure would love to ask him many questions. He sounds interesting and being in Medicine I am sure he could answer a lot of questions. Also I wish to say I too read that book Jerry mentioned, 'Corruption in Medicine' by Michael Floria. People he told it right you won't be able to put it down. Sandy |
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jimbo | Posted: 1:34 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| This is why companies cut domestic employees and outsource more. We will consider assembly in china much more closely now. Just retain the minimum number of usa workers and buy whatever we can cheaper from china. I bet the chinese are big time in favor of this legislation. |
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Sandra Lynne | Posted: 1:22 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Being a small business owner, I can tell you that small business owners already make a lot of sacrifices. Our local economy began dropping in 2006. I haven't had a paycheck since the summer of 2006, but my 2 staff have always gotten their paychecks and benefits like vacation and sick time. I expect to see more businesses down the drain over the coming year. More legislation, more handouts, more taxes, more government rules are not going to fix this mess. In 10 years, I predict you will wait like the English from 6-18 months to see a doctor and they will be in very short supply. Less and less young people will want to make the sacrifices to become physicians because they won't be able to make a living and repay their student loans. What happened to the idea of learning to better yourself to EARN your just reward instead of just sticking your hand out? The entitlement mentality is ruining this country. Just being born does not 'entitle' you to anything but air. |
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Jerry Sanders | Posted: 1:20 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| There is a book you should all read. it is called ' Corruption in Medicine , by Michael Floria. You will learn a lot and I promise you , you won't be able to put it down. And to make it interesting there is a love story that we all wish we had. Get a signed copy from Beealive@aol.com | ||
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Dr. Bennitchi | Posted: 1:09 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Sorry to say but the people in the USA are always looking at the wrong picture. Especially the poorly run government we have. We should look at what is causing the problem and fix that rather than looking at the problem. Unless we fix what is causing the problem the problem will never get fixed. I hope I didn't confuse you. But we Americans have the greatest government and the most generous people in the world. we don't need the stupid ineficient corrupt government doing things for us. We better start doing things for ourselves. Our government has made our people so weak and dependant on the government for help constantly. Grow up and help yourself not worry about the government to do it for you. If you want to fix the health care system, fix the doctors, hospital, and everyone connected with health care first. You can't have a good health care system if you have out of order people providing the care. | ||
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labbott123 | Posted: 1:01 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Can someone logicly explain what we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan? Seems all this war talk has done is made us forget our high unemployment is mostly due to American jobs going to China and elsewhere. One-term Obama hasn't said a single word about that. | ||
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don short | Posted: 12:42 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Samll Businesses as well as large business have a way of not supporting their workers already. At present such as Sears for decades they have workers that get no insurance by restricting the number of hours they work. Not only no health benefits no financial benefits such as bonuses. Small busines have also being doing this for decades. How can the worker support the businesses big or small. When is America going to wake up that this young Country is not going to survive if it has not learned from the old countries that do have a universal health care system firmely supported by the government. | ||
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Linda Scarlet W. | Posted: 12:31 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| You too, DAVE ....well said! | ||
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Linda Scarlet W. | Posted: 12:27 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| ERIC...Right on!!!! | ||
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ERIC | Posted: 12:15 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| Folks, If you vote and keep voting for socialists you get socialism. Not just in Healthcare. Yes, the health system needs fixing, but you gave it to the wrong people. You get (and deserve) what you vote for. Don't vote w/ emotion but with your brain. Let's try again in Nov. 2010 and hope the damage is reversible. There's still hope for the change we really need, really. |
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Lloyd Myers | Posted: 12:13 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| I wonder where was all these Bush lovers. When Bush ran up a 12 trillion National debt.. For What? WAR, Kill Kill. Our young men and women. Now all of a sudden it cost way to much to try and safe lives. I do not believe any Christian could be against health care for all. WWJD? I am one tha has health insurance. I am willing to pay more so others can have it too. What is YOUR life worth. Greed is destroying my country. | ||
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Dave | Posted: 12:10 PM On November 12, 2009 |
| If some of you truly believe that small business owners are all getting rich off of your labors then you would be crazy not to start your own company. I often wonder why jerks like Bernie Sanders, who have nothing good to say about any company except Ben and Jerry's, doesn't start his own business where he can pay super high wages and provide full benefits for all of his employees. I own a small business on the VT/NH border. I am buried in government paperwork, taxes, and regulations. Pass this 'health care' crap and I will be sending 19 more people to the unemployment line. | ||
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Jim C | Posted: 11:52 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| The focus of all of this is just wrong. It should be about controlling costs not abot madates on employers or subversion of free enterprise. There is a company here in town that just sold for $420 million. All they did was audit bills to insurance companies and kept 1/3 of the money they found in error. They contributed zero and sucked millions out of the sytem. The insurance company lost, the doctors lost, and we lost all becuse nobody can bill correctly in this over complicated, bueaurcratic nightmare of a system. Fix the problems not the players! | ||
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dissapointed | Posted: 11:40 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Why wont anyone in the government make it 'optional' for employers as well as tax payers to pay into the part of tax money that supports un documented alliens? I believe that if the good ol U.S. of A stopped supporting alliens with not just health care but living exspenses as well our country may not be in the crap hole its in... Make it optional and then you will see how many people are really into supporting those that arent supposed to be here in the first place! Health care should cost EVERYONE! | ||
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Linda Scarlet W. | Posted: 11:38 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| MIKE C.....you'll see...it just won't work! Also, if you were had a good business head, you wouln't be a sole proprietor; you should check out an LLC or a Sub Chapter S Corporation where you earn dividends which you don't have to pay social 'insecurity' and medi'noncare' on instead of wages. |
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Nick Kumis | Posted: 11:28 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| As a Democrat, I am among the non-supporters of this Health Care Bill. My reasons may differ from conservatives in that it should be totally socalized, but not in steps that destroy people's existing benefits. This is apparently what it will do. Also, when I first heard that insurance companies, the AMA, and pharmaceutical companies were 'on board', I was originally skeptical! Also, it's going to be run like and HMO. So here we have a crappy insurance scheme run by the inefficient government. We need a health care reform, but not this one! |
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Linda Scarlet W. | Posted: 11:21 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| BETHIE...you are sooooo right on! My nephew's father-in-law is a doctor, and he is saying the same thing. And, for you IGNORANT people out there that think this health care crap Washington is feeding us...you'll see! A lot of you will lose your jobs, and the quality of the health care will be just like Canada and England...it sucks! |
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anon | Posted: 11:13 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Because doing nothing is so much better... Everyone needs to realize that nothing is going to satisfy everyone...sorry it doesn't work that way. |
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doug | Posted: 10:49 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Call, E=mail or mail you senator Today and tell them how you feel http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
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doug | Posted: 10:48 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Call, E=mail or mail you senator Today and tell them how you feel http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
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doug | Posted: 10:46 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Call, E=mail or mail you senator Today and tell them how you feel http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
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doug | Posted: 10:41 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Call, E=mail or mail you senator Today and tell them how you feel http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
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doug | Posted: 10:39 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Call, E=mail or mail you senator Today and tell them how you feel http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm |
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Advancmed | Posted: 10:34 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I agree with Shannon, why is it our responsibility to provide health insurance for employees. The way the economy is and people's lifestyle, employees don't want insurance because they can't pay in. Most people are just crapping by from paycheck to paycheck if that. | ||
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Dia | Posted: 10:33 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Tony - I believe that you want the cake and eat it too. Those greedy health insurance companies have the lowest profit ever. Maybe you don't know but the cost of health care has increased tremendously because of the great quality we have in this country. If you want less quality you can always go to Mexico or India where you get what you pay for. | ||
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Mac | Posted: 10:33 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| We need to stop the unnessary spending and start helping the small business. Washington is so out of control, we going to be a 3rd world county in 10 years. Why are the Large Corpotation getting all the bail out moneies, and the small busines getting all the bills. I wonder if all those who voteed to change, knew this was the change they were going to get. We will work harder and longer to accomplish less, and pay all the cost and taxes. I heard we need to put lot's trash truck around D.C. and the try to move some of the trash out. It seem to get higher each day. |
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Tony | Posted: 10:25 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I have seen nothing in any of these proposals that would force the greedy health insurance industry to charge less for premiums, provide more in the way of coverage, and do away with those ridiculously high deductibles. That is where the real problem lies,...the entire industries greed. Just like the banking and credit card companies. The worse things get, the more they charge and the more profit they make. Now the government wants in? | ||
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Terry | Posted: 10:25 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| If the House bill passes it will doom my small medical business. I employee 40 people and I will be forced to shut our doors resulting in the loss of jobs and loss of health care services to thousands.I have written our congress person and he voted anyway to support Pelosi. They are shuving this thing down our throats . It is time for a tax revolt and to throw these bums out | ||
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Small business no benefits and no insurance and a | Posted: 10:19 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| In the last 2 years I was working for a local small candie business. I think that this insurance bill should be studied on real people working in a small business. First of all most employees who hire part time are getting a way with a lot and who have less then 15 employees. Any business who's profit is 20% higher than what there paying in payroll a year should have to pay full insurance rates for employees.And If the state didn't require workmens compensation insurance for all workers. And make it madatory that all employers provide insurance for employees no matter how many hours a worker works. There is allot to be said about this issue.....ect. | ||
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Bethie | Posted: 10:03 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I work for an orthopaedic surgeon, as a RN. He is considered one of the best in his field in this country, has many, many honors. He has said, as of yesterday, he will be closing down his practice next year. With the Medicare reimbursement decreasing and the prospects of this health care bill passing and his $92,000/yr malpratice cost, it isn't worth having a medical practice. I loose a job, the community looses a great doctor. | ||
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Shannon | Posted: 9:59 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I'm curious as to why it has become the RESPONSIBILITY OF BUSINESSES to provide health insurance for employees. | ||
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TIRED OF BEING RIPPED | Posted: 9:53 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| THE PROBLEM IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE....OUT CONTROL WITH OUR MONEY....AND NO IDEA OF WHAT THE HELL HE IS DOING.....ECONOMY/AFGANISTAN....YEAH THE ONLY CHANGE COMING IS TO SOCIALIZM WHEN WE ALL GO OUT OF BUSINESS....THE BANK AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE COME THE COMMUNIST STATE THAT RUSSIA HAD...HERE WE COME COMRAD | ||
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Bruce | Posted: 9:40 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| We own a small business in South Florida. With the economy on the skids we are working very hard just to stay in business. Any more expense would simply put us OUT OF BUSINESS. In addition how can the american companies continue to bail out the local and federal govt. My home was appraised $150k DOWN, but Taxes went up. My car tag was $68 last year, now over $100. WE continue to get Taxed every where. Is this the cost of doing the right thing, paying your mortage, working your tail off for the american dream and providing jobs. I JUST DO NOT GET IT. We cannot pay for ones who do not contribute and govt that mis-manages... | ||
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Red | Posted: 9:38 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I think I'll just hire illegals and pay cash under the table and then I want have to worry about paying insurance sense the goverment dosn't want to do anything about the illegals here!!! | ||
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Lisa | Posted: 9:36 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I agree with Bill, the costs that they have listed are incorrect. We pay close to 4,000 per month for 5 families. We cover our employees and their families at this time. We switched plans this year and now pay a deductible first and in these economic conditions that hurts. The deductible is 2,000 per individual. So a family working on a small budget can be devastated by that 2,000 up front deductible. We are looking into other options during our next renewal. As small business owners, we never want to be told to do more once again by the government. Good quality employers are already doing what they should. The influx of immigrants into this country shouldn't change how American citizen and tax payers run their business. Get rid of the problem, free loaders and fraud, and we'll all be better off. | ||
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John | Posted: 9:34 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| Many companies who are at, slightly over the $500,000 payroll minimum will cut enough jobs to drop below that level. Others will replace some salaried employees with outsourced 1099 staff to avoid paying for their insurance. How can either scenario be good for anyone? | ||
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SAM | Posted: 8:47 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| This Bill as it currently stands will first cause retail prices to to increase, (inflation) then we will see a dramatic reduction in salaries. Many businesses will downsize and reorganize based solely on the contents of this burdeness bill. | ||
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Mike C - CCT Mobile Detail - SF Bay Area | Posted: 8:26 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I'm a sole proprietor, and I welcome lower health car costs ! I currently have ok coverage , 500 deductible for $130 / month. I'm 48 and relatively healthy, so I never really use the plan unless I get sick more than what over the counter meds can handle. I really only have the coverage for an emergency, etc., so paying less by being a member of a larger group would be great ! | ||
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ready to protest | Posted: 7:59 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| How many employers get better results from their employees by reducing their pay???? Since when do the fat cats in congress know how to be an employer.....they are the biggest freeloaders in our society today and everyone of them should be fired for non performance. Oh well....It will be ok if the government wants to add to small business tax burdens....as a small business we can take the Geitner defense for not paying our taxes. |
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James | Posted: 7:58 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| I'm tired of all the crying. Business fought regulation for Health Insurance when the good times were rolling. Now you cry crocodile tears now that it's time to reform the legal extortion of Americans by corrupt Health Insurers that produce nothing but denial of coverage, and bloated CEO salaries. They perform no operations. They set no broken bones. They don't do any brain surgery. But the parasites suck out 31% of every health care dollar they deal with. | ||
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Norman Ellis | Posted: 7:56 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| New to the administration side of running a company, I'm learning about the overhead costs. But keeping your workers healthy would need to be priority in my line of work. I own an electrical evaluation safety consultant company, scheduling clients requires my team to be ready and able. Unlike alot of small companies I have a contract agreement with a union skilled trades group, so our health plan is covered by the work hours of the employees. They have to work 130 hours a month to be covered for the following month. Bieng in a co-op health manages my cost, and gives me an option to pay 100% as an in incentive. Just thought I wuld let company owners know if you have that option, you should concider it, this has helped keep my cost down for my clients. With your electrical safety in mind: Norman W. Ellis CEO / Founder New World Electrical Consultants and Service |
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Norman Ellis | Posted: 7:43 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| New to the administration side of running a company, I'm learning about the overhead costs. But keeping your workers healthy would need to be priority in my line of work. I own an electrical evaluation safety consultant company, scheduling clients requires my team to be ready and able. Unlike alot of small companies I have a contract agreement with a union skilled trades group, so our health plan is covered by the work hours of the employees. They have to work 130 hours a month to be covered for the following month. Bieng in a co-op health manages my cost, and gives me an option to pay 100% as an in incentive. Just thought I wuld let company owners know if you have that option, you should concider it, this has helped keep my cost down for my clients. With your electrical safety in mind: Norman W. Ellis CEO / Founder New World Electrical Consultants and Service |
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Norman Ellis | Posted: 7:37 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| New to the administration side of running a company, I'm learning about the overhead costs. But keeping your workers healthy would need to be priority in my line of work. I own an electrical evaluation safety consultant company, scheduling clients requires my team to be ready and able. Unlike alot of small companies I have a contract agreement with a union skilled trades group, so our health plan is covered by the work hours of the employees. They have to work 130 hours a month to be covered for the following month. Bieng in a co-op health manages my cost, and gives me an option to pay 100% as an in incentive. Just thought I wuld let company owners know if you have that option, you should concider it, this has helped keep my cost down for my clients. With your electrical safety in mind: Norman W. Ellis CEO / Founder New World Electrical Consultants and Service |
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BILL | Posted: 7:27 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| THIS ARTICAL IS A LOT OF UNTRUTHS SMALL BUISNESS IS NOT 100 EMPLOYES OR MORE MY INSURANCE FOR FOUR PERSON SMALL BUISNESS IS APPROX. $1500.00 PER PERSON PER MONTH. WE ARE ALL IN OUR EARLY SIXTY'S. WE NEED HELP |
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Rich | Posted: 7:26 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| It is absolutely insane to think that your small business will benefit from any plan resembling the one approved by the House. Your comment is obviously a reflection of political affiliation and not careful study of what is being developed. If the bill opened options for price reductions and opportunity to join larger groups it may be a good thing. In the present form it is your worst nightmare, even if you don't know it yet. |
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paul mauro | Posted: 7:07 AM On November 12, 2009 |
| as a small business owner myself I welcome the opportunity to join larger groups to get better pricing on the plan we now have.The employers with over 100 employees are not what i consider small employers.they already get meaningful discounts at 10 or 20 people we do not.The tax credit will help but the repeal of state regulated coverage will hep us the most .Then we can buy lower cost plasn from other states . | ||
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