Small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the US are facing impossible choices because of the skyrocketing costs of health insurance premiums, and, in many cases, the lack of access to coverage. Here are some of their stories.
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Dale Mabry Animal Hospital | Tampa, Florida
Veterinarian:
Healthcare Reform Is the Right Cure
Dr. Hansel Leavengood
Dale Mabry Animal Hospital
Tampa, Florida
Founded in 1957
Number of employees: 15
Veterinarian: Healthcare Reform Is the Right Cure
Just like his patients, which include dogs and cats, Dr. Hansel Leavengood’s employees also need medical care. That’s why he provides health insurance to all of his staff.
“Healthcare premiums are a nice chunk of change, but we’ve never questioned the need to offer coverage,” Hansel said. “It’s just one of those costs—it’s the right thing to do and it’s a nice perk to attract and keep employees.”
Dale Mabry Animal Hospital employees receive HMO health benefits through BlueCross Blue Shield FL, and Hansel covers 100% of their insurance premiums. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, he received a $6,000 tax credit this year for providing coverage.
Though this credit is welcome news and helps pay the bills, Hansel is more excited about the preventative care benefits that the law emphasizes. He thinks this and other cost containment measures will lower premiums for all small business owners.
“Healthcare reform will make the delivery of medical work more efficient,” he said. “The uninsured are a burden to those that pay insurance, and the new law will direct traffic away from emergency rooms through preventative care.”
