As healthcare costs continue to rise, small-business owners like John Cleveland and Justin Miller are feeling the impact. Cleveland, the owner of three barbershops in Austin, Texas, faced a mountain of medical bills after a tumor on his brain required surgery and months of therapy. Thanks to the coverage he had purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, most of his expenses were covered.
However, Cleveland is bracing for a significant increase in his monthly premiums next year, from $560 to around $682. Despite the higher costs, he plans to stick with his current plan, which includes out-of-pocket expenses for doctor visits and emergency room visits. His main concern is for his employees, many of whom rely on marketplace coverage and may struggle to afford the higher prices.
Similarly, Justin Miller, who runs a family fruit farm in rural Northern California, is worried about the impact of rising insurance costs on his employees. With many of them purchasing coverage through the Obamacare marketplace, Miller fears that they may consider leaving his farm for jobs that offer better health benefits.
The looming expiration of the enhanced ACA subsidies poses a dilemma for Republicans, who have traditionally opposed Obamacare but now face pressure from their small-business owner constituents. About half of those enrolled in Obamacare coverage are small-business owners or their employees, a group that typically leans Republican.
Recent polls have shown strong support for extending the subsidies, with independent voters indicating that they would be less likely to support politicians who allow the enhanced tax credits to expire. Even some Republican lawmakers in competitive races have proposed an extension of the subsidies, recognizing the impact on their constituents.
However, the decision to extend the subsidies remains contentious within the GOP, with many viewing it as a temporary fix for a program they consider problematic and costly. Despite this, some Republicans are starting to acknowledge the importance of the subsidies for their constituents, many of whom rely on marketplace coverage.
As the debate continues, small-business owners like Cleveland and Miller are left grappling with the uncertainty of rising healthcare costs. For Miller, the increase in premiums for himself and his family means added financial strain, but he remains committed to voting for candidates who prioritize protecting working Americans, regardless of party affiliation.
Overall, the issue of healthcare affordability remains a top concern for small-business owners, highlighting the need for a bipartisan solution to ensure access to affordable coverage for all Americans.
