Small-business owners react to health reform bill

Local small-business owners agree health-care reform critically affects them and their bottom lines.

Of course, they would like health-care services and insurance to become more affordable. Yet, they worry about who will pay for it and how legislators’ plans will actually work when put into practice.

“It’s definitely a huge issue,” said Mary Yeaman of Hughes Marine Service.

The family-owned business has operated in Danville for more than 45 years. When its 10 employees include family members, Yeaman said cutting health-care benefits is not an option.

But rising costs concern company owners when health care is the largest expense after payroll, Yeaman said.

“I’m not certain current legislation will fix that,” she said. “I’m undecided, I guess.”

Jonathan Scollo, owner of Awards and Trophy Shop and Custom Framing on Piney Forest Road, doesn’t want legislation to burden his business. The shop employs two workers, who have insurance on their own. Scollo is covered through his wife’s plan.

He doesn’t like the idea of the government requiring employers to offer health insurance. He worries that a complete overhaul of the health-care system would bring down the economy or burden all taxpayers.

“Anything that would tax our business more, would put greater stress on trying to make ends meet,” Scollo said. “With the economy we’ve got right now, it would really put us back.”

Will Leggett of Leggett Town & Country on Mount Cross Road agrees that rising insurance costs are unsustainable.

The work clothes and farm-and-ranch retailer offers its employees insurance, but costs rise roughly 20 percent a year, if not more, he said.

Leggett would like the bill to be easier to read and understand. He’s not sure how small and large busi-nesses would be affected. He does understand that eventually, someone will pay for these changes.

As an independent business owner, he prefers when government stays out of business, including the insurance business.

“I don’t feel like both parties are working together to find the best solution for the average American,” Leggett said. “I don’t know what the answer is.”

Eddie Cassada, president and general manager of Piedmont Glass with locations in Danville and South Boston, thinks the legislation is confusing and worries about government eventually gaining total control of the health-care industry.

Cassada agrees competition would lower prices, but he doesn’t believe the government needs to create that competition.

He would rather the government promote healthy lifestyles, as the root of the nation’s health care problems is unhealthy people.

“We would like insurance to be affordable, but who’s going to make it more affordable?” Cassada asked. “You can’t just wave a magic wand and say insurance is going to be more affordable.”

Terry Shadrick, president of H.W. Brown Florist and Greenhouses Inc., is uncomfortable with vague writing and explanations about what the legislation proposes.

The fourth-generation family-owned business stopped offering insurance to employees two years ago when higher costs became a burden when the local economy declined from plant closures.

Shadrick doesn’t think government should take control of the health-care system. He dislikes the idea of more regulators and bureaucracy.

Consumers need to hold insurance companies accountable, but they also need better judgment in using services, he said.

“People need to be more aware and cost-conscious when they consume health care,” Shadrick said. “People have to understand, there’s no such thing as free health care.”

Yet, Shadrick appreciates that legislators are raising awareness about the issues.

“It’s in the public debate and I think that’s good,” he said. “I think everybody’s got to be involved.”