Lisa Chow
Lisa Chow is the economics reporter at WNYC. She tries to explore in her stories surprising aspects of New York’s many economies—in plain view or hidden, in neighborhoods or sectors.
Small Biz Owners Ponder Impact of Healthcare Reform
Monday, August 31, 2009
New York, NY –
Small business owners are grappling to understand the real-life impact of any healthcare overhaul. Some of the pending legislation would require businesses to offer coverage to their employees, or pay a penalty.
SPARANO: You mandate that and I'm telling you right now, businesses are closing down. they're letting go of employees, they will not keep the numbers they have.
REPORTER: Sher Sparano who runs her own consulting business in Queens opposes the so-called "public option" a government insurance program akin to Medicare.
Jacques Gauthier owns a restaurant in Park Slope. He supports the public option, but agrees that requiring businesses to provide health insurance to their employees would be burdensome.
GAUTHIER: I'm a survivor. I'll find a way to make things work. maybe I would have to reduce wages a little bit, maybe I would have to cut somewhere else, sure, I would cut expenses somewhere.
REPORTER: The fate of any healthcare overhaul bill is expected to be settled once Congress returns from its summer recess after Labor Day.
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