Congress has for years recognized the importance of small business to our economy. I only wish Congress would act as if small business is important, and not just say small business is important. If we solve the problem small business has of trying to pay for the health care benefits of their employees, we will solve much of the problem with uninsured Americans. Bigger business cannot be looked to as a means to solve this problem. Big business increases their profits by eliminating workers.
Small business increases profits by expanding markets, and hiring workers.
Yesterday, Proctor and Gamble announced the elimination of 15,000 jobs. Most likely they will either find employment with a small firm that is growing and expanding, or will start their own enterprise. They will start out like most of us, as a one-man band, that grows, expands, and hires other workers that are discarded from big corporations. These one man bands and their few employees will need health benefits. Since they will be in a different situation and a different market than they were used to at Proctor and Gamble, they will be faced with making the decision of whether or not to have health care coverage.