NFIB was at the table when Vice President Mike Pence met with small-business owners and others in Baton Rouge, on Wednesday, May 24.
Before giving a speech at Cajun Industries, an NFIB member business since 1986, the vice president met privately with about 10 small-business leaders, including several members of NFIB: Lane Grigsby of Cajun Industries, Todd Waguespack of Level Homes, Pat Felder of Felder Collision Parts, Kevin Hayes of Hayes Strategic Solutions, Jack McFarland of McFarland Timber, John Overton of Turnkey Solutions, and Ted Firnberg of School Aids. Others at the table included U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, and NFIB State Director Dawn Starns.
With @RepGarretGraves & @SeemaCMS at @cajunindustries listening to job creators about the need for tax & health care reform. #VPinLa pic.twitter.com/Rykzw3yvho
— Vice President Pence (@VP) May 24, 2017
Starns said the small-business owners told Pence about how excessive regulations, taxes, and health-care costs make it difficult for them to grow their companies and create jobs.
“It was a very productive and open discussion,” Starns said. “Vice President Pence made it clear this administration understands the challenges facing Louisiana’s small businesses and will do everything it can to help create an environment where employers can succeed.”
In his speech, Pence said, “I just heard once again firsthand from Todd (Grigsby of Cajun Industries) and all the small-business owners who gathered for a conversation earlier about the burden that Obamacare is placing on job creators like Cajun Industries and all of those that are with us today.
“Every day, you see another grim reminder that Obamacare is a burden on the American people, too,” the vice president said. “We all remember all the promises that were made to pass Obamacare, right? They said if you like your doctor you can keep them — not true. They said if you like your health insurance you could keep it — not true. We were told that health insurance costs would go down — not true.”
He said, “Here in Louisiana, Obamacare premiums have spiked by nearly 125 percent. The average plan here in the Pelican State costs more than $3,500 more than it did just a few short years ago…. Louisiana knows the truth — every day Obamacare survives is another day the American economy and American families struggle.”
That’s why President Trump has been working with Congressional leaders to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA), Pence said. “The American Health Care Act starts the process of repealing and replacing Obamacare with a health-care system that will actually work.”
Starns said, “We believe the American Health Care Act clears the way for health care reform that would work for small business. Passage of the AHCA would mean the repeal of the Obamacare taxes and mandates and allow for additional changes that would make health insurance affordable, flexible, and predictable for people who own or work for a small business.”
