Small business operators worried over proposed health care legislation

Sep 22 2009

The U.S. Congress is back in session with Health Care legislation dominating the attention of lawmakers and the public. The current proposed health care legislation will mandate small business with payrolls more than $250,000 to provide health insurance to their workers or pay a fine.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) has already stated its opposition as it will cost small business too much and give government too much control over small business operations and personnel. Rent to own electronics and other small business owners are just one of the many industries watching the Health Care debate closely as the proposed law could greatly effect their business. The overall majority of the rent to own industry is small business operators.

"I am concerned over universal health care and its effect on the small business owner," states Riverside, California City Council Member and Nations Rent To Own owner Paul Davis. "My concern is when a bureaucracy gets involved with such issues, it becomes much more than it needs to be, and the original intent is lost in the final translation. As a freshman politician, I feel that government intervention on many issues is not the answer. If we must intervene, then we may need to take a look at the underlying factors that has placed us in this position and work from that point to the conclusion."

The health care legislative debate began in July 2009 when House Democrats led by Rep. John Dingell from Michigan introduced H.R. 3200 -- America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. The bill has spurred national media coverage and political debates ranging from town hall meetings to network television. Recently, Senator Max Baucus has been negotiating an alternate proposal that would limit the mandated amount through a "free rider" provision requiring employers to pay for employees who receive government subsidies such as Medicaid.

Congressional Health Care legislation has already passed three House committees and one Senate committee. The bills have dominated the U.S. Congress since July and plan to heat up throughout the fall.