KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Health care reform, and small businesses.

Health care reform, and small businesses.

By Fred Childers - bio|email

BOSSIER CITY, LA (KSLA) - One hundred twenty  small business owners in the Ark-La-Tex are paying especially close attention to the progress of the healthcare reform bill.

"We're afraid of what's coming," said Kara Lowrie, owner of Arcadiana Mortgage in Bossier City.

 Monday at the healthcare seminar, one of many set to take place in the Ark-La-Tex, legislators, insurance providers, and lobbyists tell businesses that the current plan will cost too much, and will eliminate choice.

"Because I currently have employees some have insurance, some don't, some I pay for some I do not, because they don't want it. But when you take that away from me as an employer, you have dramatically added a huge hit to my profit margin," said Lowrie.

"All of us are contacting our legislators so that they are aware of what our thoughts are on this.," said Hedy Hebert, a partner in benefit consulting services.

The business owners hope to get the attention of Congressman John Fleming, and let him know of their major concern with health care reform.

Fleming is prepared to vote no on the current version, and yes to a republican version of health care reform.....

The republicans in Washington are outnumbered

"We don't have the votes, and so it's up to the people the constituents to really put a stop to this, and morph it into something we can all be proud of," said Congressman Fleming.

Proponents of the current plan want it passed as is, and say it's actually designed to ease the burdens small business face now.

But that's a tough sell to this crowd.

"But we would like to be part of the solution and not part of the cause," said Hebert.

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce says because of the overwhelming response to Monday's meeting, more will be scheduled in the future.

If you're interested call the Bossier Chamber of Commerce at 318-746-0252.

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