John Costin: We are now a family with a pre-existing condition—good insurance is key
I started Veneer Services Unlimited over 25 years ago and we are now located in Sanford, Maine. We employ three workers in a mill in Sanford and manufacture high-quality custom veneer work for the custom woodworking industry. My wife Rachel and I also own New Pioneer, an old mill in Sanford that we have revitalized into a hub for craftsmen in southern Maine.
Jonathan Fulford: When Senator Collins voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh, she voted to discriminate against cancer survivors like me
After graduating high school, I started a small farm with my brother in Monroe. After having my first child, I started a building company, and I have spent the last 30 years raising a family and building a business—and building houses.
Read moreJonathan Werbel: Before the ACA, I was completely uninsurable
The only thing I really care about is boats. I grew up on boats. My grandfather was in the fruit importing business. He had a boat called The Banana Queen that brought him so much luck in business, he named his second boat the Banana Queen 2. My mother went into labor with me while on the Queen 2, so the family story is that I was on a boat when I decided to be born.
Read moreJenny Newman-Arruda: There's no cure, but I have the health care coverage I need
In 2008, my business partner and I opened up TL6 the Gallery for local artists and designers. Our gallery and other new local businesses have helped revitalize New Bedford.
Read moreChris Petersen: The ACA meant I could purchase quality, affordable health care that did not exclude pre-existing conditions
I’ve been an independent family farmer for most of my life, raising crops, livestock and local foods in rural Iowa. I’m gravely concerned with Congress’ latest health care game-playing. We farmers are looking at, once again, being priced out of health insurance.
Read moreReShonda Young: Keeping my life-threatening condition in check
I started fighting for the ACA in 2009, when I was actually running my dad’s small businesses. We had been searching for insurance for years, and preexisting conditions were the biggest stumbling block. The failed system that was in place made it unaffordable for us to provide health insurance for our employees. The policies we were shown also denied health benefits for several of our employees due to pre-existing medical conditions.
Read moreSusan Lyon: Attacks on protections for people with pre-existing conditions are putting my business at risk
Attacks on protections for people with pre-existing conditions are putting my business at risk and endangering my livelihood, that of my husband, as well as the livelihoods of the nine full-time, professional-level staff we employ at Lyon.
Read moreMarcia St. Hilaire-Finn: The FAMILY Act would ensure that high quality caregivers can keep their jobs
For my staff, caring for children is a labor of love, but it is also grueling work. In return for the work they do, I think it’s important to ensure that my employees can care for themselves and their families. That’s why they have paid sick days, vacation time and health insurance.
Aaron Seyedian: Paid leave shouldn't depend on where you live or who you work for
Owning a small business doesn’t exempt you from the realities of everyday life. If anything, it makes you keenly aware of them. People get sick or injured. They start families. Their family members – children, parents and partners – need to be cared for. Ignoring the inevitable only puts our businesses at risk, jeopardizing our livelihoods and those of our employees.
Ricky Klein: Your family comes first
Before the very first bubble came through an airlock at our meadery, we had already written rules: “Your family comes first.” Providing paid family and medical leave to our employees was never a question for us. We wanted to create good jobs so people in our community could support their families. We are employers first, and our business just happens to be making a fermented honey beverage called mead.
Read more