Local small business owner Tammy Rostov made an appearance at the U.S. Capitol yesterday to support a healthcare reform drafted by House Democrats.
“About four years ago, when the premiums rose beyond what the business could afford, we had to change to a high-deductible plan so that I could continue to offer benefits,” said Rostov.
Rostov is the owner of Rostov’s Coffee and Tea at 1618 W. Main St., a business that was started by her father in Carytown thirty years ago. The shop has nine employees, four of which are full-time.
According to the press release, Rostov’s currently has three full-time employees covered under a $2,000-deductible plan.
“That cut our costs for that year, but over the last four years our premiums have gone up 80 percent, and I can’t afford to pay those premiums.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the press conference to promote the legislation, which is formally being unveiled today. (Read more about the bill here.)
Under the new legislation, Rostov could either provide coverage to her employees and qualify for a tax credit for half of the policy cost, or pay a small assessment and let her employees buy discounted insurance through the government program.
“Instead of spending more than 10 percent of my payroll in insurance coverage, I could save more than $11,000 by paying 2 percent and allow my employees to buy the coverage they want in the exchange,” Rostov said.
You can watch more below, Rostov appears shortly after the four minute mark.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4mAszUXyOw[/youtube]
Local small business owner Tammy Rostov made an appearance at the U.S. Capitol yesterday to support a healthcare reform drafted by House Democrats.
“About four years ago, when the premiums rose beyond what the business could afford, we had to change to a high-deductible plan so that I could continue to offer benefits,” said Rostov.
Rostov is the owner of Rostov’s Coffee and Tea at 1618 W. Main St., a business that was started by her father in Carytown thirty years ago. The shop has nine employees, four of which are full-time.
According to the press release, Rostov’s currently has three full-time employees covered under a $2,000-deductible plan.
“That cut our costs for that year, but over the last four years our premiums have gone up 80 percent, and I can’t afford to pay those premiums.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the press conference to promote the legislation, which is formally being unveiled today. (Read more about the bill here.)
Under the new legislation, Rostov could either provide coverage to her employees and qualify for a tax credit for half of the policy cost, or pay a small assessment and let her employees buy discounted insurance through the government program.
“Instead of spending more than 10 percent of my payroll in insurance coverage, I could save more than $11,000 by paying 2 percent and allow my employees to buy the coverage they want in the exchange,” Rostov said.
You can watch more below, Rostov appears shortly after the four minute mark.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4mAszUXyOw[/youtube]
I like and wish Ms. Rostov well, but why should her employees be dependent on her employing them at all? Why shuold anyone have to depend on employment? The REST OF THE WORLD does not do it this way.
SINGLE PAYER NOW!
All these halfway measures will not help.
[…] From BizSense (which also has posted a video link): Under the new legislation, Rostov could either provide coverage to her employees and qualify for a tax credit for half of the policy cost, or pay a small assessment and let her employees buy discounted insurance through the government program. “Instead of spending more than 10 percent of my payroll in insurance coverage, I could save more than $11,000 by paying 2 percent and allow my employees to buy the coverage they want in the exchange,” Rostov said. Erik Bonkovsky at 7:03 pm | […]
Burger, how can you be serious. “Not depend on employment”? You think we need to further incent people to not seek employment??? You have got to be kidding me, talk about a race to the bottom. I see healthcare as one of the primary reasons for an individual to seek employment.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF NOW!!!