Small business leaders in the Main Street Alliance network stood up to be counted on health care over the last ten days as the Affordable Care Act’s two year anniversary led into oral arguments at the Supreme Court.
Here’s a quick recap of some of the many highlights:
- Helen Dally, whose parents own Hawthorne Auto Clinic in Portland, Oregon, shared her story on the steps of the Supreme Court on March 27. Helen talked about getting back on the family business’s health coverage thanks to the ACA’s under-26 provision, and recounted how the law has helped the business with lower premiums and a $13,000 tax credit to help with their health care costs. Watch the video clip of Helen’s remarks.
- Oregon small business owner Jim Houser talked about how health care reform is helping his business on MSNBC’s “Your Business” . Watch this clip of Jim’s MSNBC appearance here.
- Laura Waite, co-owner of Jay’s Professional Automotive, did interviews with the media and had an op-ed published about her story of getting health care through the ACA’s Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. KIRO-TV :: How Supreme Court health care battle could affect Washingtonians
- Shelly Mountain, who owns a log truck with her husband in Mapleton and is a member of the Maine Small Business Coalition, penned an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News explaining small businesses need the country to keep moving forward on health care, not go back. BANGOR DAILY NEWS :: Small business view: Keep moving forward on health care
- Montana Small Business Alliance director Amanda Harrow was featured on local TV news in Helena, Montana making the small business case for upholding the health law and presenting a counterpoint to the opposition from the NFIB. KXLH-TV :: MT businesses divided on “Obamacare”
- The Main Street Alliance of Oregon hosted U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley for a roundtable conversation with small business owners. MSA of Oregon leaders shared their health care stories and the event drew coverage from NewsChannel 8, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and other local outlets. OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING :: Oregonians Split On Affordable Care Act
- Main Street Alliance of Washington leader Makini Howell, owner of Plum Bistro in Seattle, spoke at the signing ceremony for Washington State’s health insurance exchange bill on March 23.
- The Montana Small Business Alliance co-organized a roundtable event with State Auditor Monica Lindeen in Billings highlighting the range of ways Montanans are benefiting from the new law, including the small business health care tax credit.
- John Costin, owner of Veneer Services Unlimited in Kennebunk, Maine and a leader with the Maine Small Business Coalition spoke at a local event marking the ACA anniversary. John talked about how he’s looking forward to the new law bringing affordable health insurance within reach for his employees and for small business owners and employees across Maine.
Small business owners are speaking for themselves on health care, and making an impact. Want to share your story? Learn how by visiting http://mainstreetalliance.org/