1st District Congressman Kevin Hern joined small business owners from across that state on July 29 for a virtual roundtable to discuss their frustrations with America’s health care system and their struggles to provide health insurance to their employees.
“This isn’t a 1st District issue, and this isn’t a State of Oklahoma issue,” the congressman said. “This is a national problem we’re having that we’ve got to figure out.”
Small business owners who logged into the meeting said their premiums and deductions are rapidly increasing, so businesses are essentially paying more for fewer benefits. They further expressed frustration about the lack of customization available in health insurance and the unfair playing field small businesses face in offering health insurance benefits versus their large competitors.
Hern, himself a small business owner and member of NFIB from Tulsa, said he understands their frustrations.
“It’s not always the direct costs,” he said. “It’s the indirect costs of using resources your administrative people who would be doing other things, but they’re filling out 1095-C’s or making sure you’re in compliance with Obamacare and all the things that go along with that.”
Hern has been tasked by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy to lead an effort to make healthcare more affordable for small business owners and all Americans. This project, known as the Healthy Future Taskforce, will serve as the basis for the House Republican’s healthcare agenda moving forward and could be very influential if Republicans take the House next November, as many pundits predict.
Hern also thanked NFIB for “all the great work they do, for being the voice of small business across America.”
“I know it’s very frustrating and scary to see some of the things that are being talked about that are so anti-small business in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “I want you to know that my office, my folks, and the folks at NFIB will be fighting for you every single day.”
