FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Nazirah Ahmad
nazirah@emccommunications.com
(704) 290-6869

STATEMENT: Rising healthcare costs hamper small business growth and hiring

Statement from Small Business for America’s Future Co-Chair Dr. Erika Gonzalez, CEO, President, & Founder of South Texas Allergy and Asthma Medical Professionals (STAAMP) and STAAMP Clinical Research, on the urgent need for healthcare reform to ease the burden on small business owners 

Oct. 20, 2023– The recent findings that the average cost of workplace health insurance premiums for family coverage has increased to nearly $24,000, add urgency to the pressing need for comprehensive healthcare reform. 

Research conducted by Small Business for America’s Future has consistently revealed that business owners have been forced to postpone hiring new employees and increase prices on their products and services to offset the burden of healthcare costs. The escalating expenses cut into their bottom line. 

The lack of transparency in healthcare pricing also exacerbates these challenges. Hidden fees and undisclosed costs create an unpredictable financial landscape for small business owners, making it even more difficult to plan for the future. 

In the midst of these challenges, there are glimmers of hope at the state level. In Texas, House Bill 711, which targets anticompetitive practices addressing key issues that contribute to skyrocketing healthcare costs, is now law.  The bipartisan support this bill received in the House and Senate is a testament to the pressing need for a comprehensive solution to healthcare affordability. 

In North Carolina, Senate Bill 321 offers a lifeline to Main Street business owners and their families by addressing medical debt. This legislation includes provisions that limit medical debt interest rates and increase transparency by requiring medical facilities to post price information online. With almost unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate, we now urge the House to follow suit. 

The vitality of small businesses and the strength of our economy depend on the accessibility and affordability of healthcare. It's time for commonsense legislation that addresses the root causes of rising healthcare costs and provides a supportive framework for small businesses to thrive.



To request an interview with Small Business for America’s Future Council Co-chair Dr. Erika Gonzalez, contact Nazirah Ahmad at 704-290-6869 or nazirah@emccommunications.com.

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF