Small Biz Concerns

Dear Editor,
    A new bill – HB 1919 – is currently being considered at the Capitol, and as a small business owner who is tasked with administering health benefits to our 100+ employees, it’s very concerning.
    We at Sauceda Industries take a lot of pride in offering our employees quality health care options. Key to that offering is being in a position to have ongoing discussions about their options and provide information that helps keep premiums lower for them and us as the employer.
    Small businesses that serve Austin and our employees are already dealing with the unprecedented economic impacts of the pandemic. We have worked hard to preserve our employees’ jobs and access to health coverage through the pandemic. It is frustrating to see Legislators putting forth bills that would limit choice and inevitably make providing affordable health care more difficult for job creators .
    We spend a lot of time helping our team members choose the right plan and find the right health care resources for them to ensure they’re healthy, happy, and fulfilled. Any bill like this that prevents us from doing so as the health care plan administrator, is a non-starter.
    The bill plays right into the hands of predatory special interests while creating an unfair and unnecessary ban that would prohibit businesses from informing employees and their families about lower-cost options for their prescription drugs.
    I hope that, as our voice in the State House, our representatives in Austin and across the state stand up for the hardworking small businesses and people who call Texas home by voting against HB 1919.