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Challenges in Child Care: The Impact of Expiring Health Care Subsidies

In running a child care center in DeForest, Macy Buhler is acutely aware of the health risks her employees face daily. Given their responsibilities in caring for the youngest members of the community, they frequently encounter illnesses and other health hazards.

Ensuring Employee Health: A Prerequisite for Business Success

“They take care of our youngest citizens. They hold them and cuddle them when they’re feeling sick,” Macy emphasizes. “They’re exposed to everything under the sun, and as a business owner, my top priority is keeping them healthy.” Ensuring the health of her employees is critical, not only for maintaining a stable workforce but also for providing quality care to children.

Macy has looked closely at the implications of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits on her ability to offer health benefits. “What the ACA subsidies did for me was help level the playing field," she explains. "They allowed me to provide my staff with the benefits they deserve and need, especially in such a demanding job.”

On December 15th, Macy spoke during a press conference outside the Wisconsin Capitol, where state Democratic leaders and representatives from Main Street Action aimed to raise awareness about the significance of these subsidies. Approximately 300,000 Wisconsinites rely on insurance purchased through the marketplace, many of whom will face steep insurance cost increases if these subsidies disappear.

Urgent Legislative Action Required

In Congress, a recent Democratic-led initiative sought to enlist four centrist Republicans to push for a vote in the full U.S. House of Representatives regarding the extension of these subsidies. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that such a vote would not occur until January, which is unfortunately after the subsidies are set to expire. Lawmakers attempted to expedite a vote before Congress went on holiday recess, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

Macy oversees a staff of about 30 and admits she is “very, very worried” about her ability to retain existing employees or attract new talent without the financial support of tax credits. “I don’t know how to warm up the hearts of the Grinches who keep insisting these benefits aren’t necessary,” she lamented. “It’s critical for children, small businesses, our families, and even our farmers to have access to the ACA subsidies.”

The Struggles of Small Business Owners

Evan Dannells, a chef and owner of Cadre in Madison, also shared his concerns during the press conference. With only 10 full-time employees, his business lacks the purchasing power necessary for significant discounts on insurance policies. The ACA, commonly known as "Obamacare," marked a turning point, allowing small business owners like Evan to offer their employees affordable benefits for the first time.

“If these costs rise again, it’s going to push people away from small businesses,” he warned, adding that workers will naturally gravitate toward larger corporate jobs where benefits are more attractive. “This comes on the heels of a pandemic, tariffs, and so many other challenges impacting small businesses.”

Interestingly, Evan initially believed he could separate politics from his business. He had personal views, yet sought to maintain an inclusive environment for his restaurant’s community. However, he learned a valuable lesson during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I came to realize, the hard way, that if you don’t advocate for yourself, you can’t just expect others to do it for you,” he said. “As a small business owner, I can’t expect a fair playing field if I’m not actively voicing concerns about issues that affect us.”

The Political Divide and Local Business Impact

Democrats vs. Republicans: A Call to Action

Wisconsin’s congressional delegation has split along party lines regarding the discharge petition aimed at compelling a vote for extending the ACA subsidies. Outside the state Capitol, Wisconsin Democratic leaders notably critiqued U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is also in the running for governor. “Democrats are fighting to make this better, while Republicans like Tom Tiffany remain unresponsive to the needs of the community,” stated Devin Remiker, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Tiffany has positioned himself against the ACA, arguing that “doubling down isn’t the solution” and indicating that the expiration of pandemic-era subsidies is a result of a deadline set by Democrats. Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, campaigning to retain his seat in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, has consistently called for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

In response to the situation, Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer expressed her concerns about how local businesses—salons, dog groomers, childcare centers—will manage escalating healthcare costs, which she stated could burden Wisconsinites on the marketplace with increased expenses. “Without these healthcare tax credits, many small business owners might find it impossible to offer care coverage for their employees, leading to critical staffing shortages,” she argued.

Advocacy and Empowerment through AI legalese decoder

As small business owners navigate these complex legislative landscapes, tools like AI legalese decoder can play an invaluable role. This AI tool simplifies complex legal language into understandable terms, helping business owners like Macy and Evan gain clarity on the impact of legislation and their legal rights.

By using AI legalese decoder, small business owners can quickly understand changes in law, know what benefits are available to them, and enable them to make informed decisions that affect their workforce. This can empower them to engage more effectively in advocacy efforts, ensuring that their voices are heard on critical issues such as healthcare subsidies.

Evan summarized his perspective well: “The only power we have as average citizens is to vote. We all want people to have access to life’s necessities. When we feel that these are being denied, it angers us,” he said. “And I hope the polls reflect that sentiment.” In times of uncertainty, the right tools and support can make all the difference in advocating for policies that benefit small businesses and the communities they serve.

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