John Slingluff, of Baltimore, Md. is the owner of
Baltimore Belting Co. in Baltimore, an industrial distributor of
conveyor belts and power transmission belts. Like many small-business
owners, Slingluff is struggling with the high cost of health care and
believes Association Health Plans (AHPs) could provide some much-needed
relief.
Over the last five years Slingluff has paid double-digit increases in
health insurance premiums for his employees.
"Currently the best plan I can afford to offer my employees is one with
a high deductible, no prescription drug benefit, no dental, and no
vision. I employ ten people but only half of them participate in our
health insurance plan. Right now I'm able to cover 80 percent of the
costs, but the remaining 20 percent is a very heavy burden for some of
my employees."
Slingluff offered his employees a more comprehensive plan until 2003
when higher costs forced him to significantly trim down the benefits
available to his employees. A family health insurance plan at Baltimore
Belting Co. currently costs $896 a month. An individual plan costs $317
a month.
"The proposed increase for 2004-2005 is 19 percent. There's no way I can
afford to pay a higher percentage of the plan than I do now, and there's
nothing left in the plan to cut," Slingluff continued. "Congress needs
to take the weight off of small-business owners. We carry a heavy load
just by running our businesses and paying taxes. If health-care costs
continue to rise, our businesses will suffer. AHPs would really lighten
the load for small-business owners, employees and our families."
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