BETTENDORF, Iowa -
Stats show that more than half of America's uninsured are small business owners, workers and their families. At Dentistry Unlimited in Bettendorf, there are worries over the cost of health care reform.
Inside the dental practice, providing health insurance is a way of life. The small business offers benefits to 50 employees. Under a government mandate, there would be some changes.
"We do it because we want to provide a good environment for our employees," said Dr. Chris Cannon. "When it's mandated, we're going to have to pay a much higher rate than we are right now."
Under the legislation, payrolls above $500,000 must provide employee insurance or pay a penalty. There's concern for mom and pop businesses in a rough economy.
"They're just squeaking by," said Dr. Cannon. "That tax is really going to affect them hard."
But according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's staff, 98.8% of small businesses will not have to pay the health care surcharge. Of those small businesses remaining, the average income is nearly $3 million a year.
Congressman Bruce Braley says that lawmakers changed the bill to improve tax credits for businesses. They also upped the employer mandate to a higher income level.
"By developing a national insurance exchange from day one, that will eliminate all biases on pre-existing conditions," Rep. Braley said. "It's going to help small businesses enormously."
And Rep. Braley says that by opening an uncompetitive marketplace, it will give consumers better choices and fairer coverage.
"Go to the exchange, buy a private policy or public option and be able to finally get the coverage they don't have right now," he said.
Small businesses like Dentistry Unlimited think that fixing the system is important, but there are worries over who will be stuck with the bill.
"Definitely, I think something needs to be reformed," Dr. Cannon said. "I just don't think it necessarily had to be on the backs of small businesses."
Concern reaching from the clinic to Congress.
Inside the dental practice, providing health insurance is a way of life. The small business offers benefits to 50 employees. Under a government mandate, there would be some changes.
"We do it because we want to provide a good environment for our employees," said Dr. Chris Cannon. "When it's mandated, we're going to have to pay a much higher rate than we are right now."
Under the legislation, payrolls above $500,000 must provide employee insurance or pay a penalty. There's concern for mom and pop businesses in a rough economy.
"They're just squeaking by," said Dr. Cannon. "That tax is really going to affect them hard."
But according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's staff, 98.8% of small businesses will not have to pay the health care surcharge. Of those small businesses remaining, the average income is nearly $3 million a year.
Congressman Bruce Braley says that lawmakers changed the bill to improve tax credits for businesses. They also upped the employer mandate to a higher income level.
"By developing a national insurance exchange from day one, that will eliminate all biases on pre-existing conditions," Rep. Braley said. "It's going to help small businesses enormously."
And Rep. Braley says that by opening an uncompetitive marketplace, it will give consumers better choices and fairer coverage.
"Go to the exchange, buy a private policy or public option and be able to finally get the coverage they don't have right now," he said.
Small businesses like Dentistry Unlimited think that fixing the system is important, but there are worries over who will be stuck with the bill.
"Definitely, I think something needs to be reformed," Dr. Cannon said. "I just don't think it necessarily had to be on the backs of small businesses."
Concern reaching from the clinic to Congress.
