With the election behind us, some small businesses are sounding off about a provision of the affordable care act, or Obamacare, worried it could cost them thousands.
Republicans ran on a platform that partially promised repealing President Barack Obama's health care plan. Now, with that looking unlikely, small business owners are hoping the plan will be tweaked, particularly when it comes to a penalty for providing insurance.
Small businesses with seasonal employees like the Dead Dog saloon are among those in our area who are watching Washington closely.
They worry about some provisions of the healthcare law set to take effect in 2014.
One of those is a requirement that businesses with more than 50 employees provide affordable health insurance for workers.
If they don't, the national federation of independent businesses says, they'll face a $2,000 penalty per employee fee.
"The majority of our {employees}, you know we employ over 150 employees during the summertime, but they're basically only there 3 months," Mark Lazarus, owner of Wild, Water and Wheels said.
Right now, businesses do not know how much that is going to cost.
The main concern in our area is seasonal businesses. So water parks or restaurants would take a big hit.
Dead Dog's owner, Charlie Campbell says in the peak of summer, health insurance for his 150 some employees would cost him an estimated six figures.
Lazarus is hopeful a change in form of compromise or waivers will come for small seasonal businesses like his.
"What we're counting on as small businesses too is that we sent a message has been sent to the white house. Not only to the president but to the house and the senate that we're not happy," he said.
We'll expect to get some more answers and follow this when congress reconvenes January 3rd.
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