Welch: Talking economy woes, opportunities
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By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: June 23, 2009
BENNINGTON – Members of Bennington's business community had a chance to speak with Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., on Monday about their concerns in the current economic climate and what support the federal government can provide.
Welch told about a dozen people, including Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joann Erenhouse and owners of businesses from Bennington, Arlington and Dorset, that the biggest concern he had heard from talking to Vermonters and business owners in the state was the cost of health care.
"Health care, finally, is, I think, on the table for serious consideration. The Obama administration has made it clear that we have to have major reform in health care and that the major reform has to include containing the cost of health care which is out of control," Welch said.
Welch said he believes that the biggest problem in health care costs is "excessive utilization" but predicted that real reform for Congress would be the "biggest, toughest debate we're going to have."
Bennington contractor Jamie Jerome said his company had offered health care insurance to its employees for 15 of the past 25 years, but the costs had now made them face the possibility that to continue to do so, they would have to consider moving the company to New York.
Jerome said he didn't believe eliminating health care for his employees would solve the problem.
"If your children are sick, if you're a parent and your kids aren't well and you can't afford to get them the attention they need, we all of a sudden take a good employee and they're not a good employee. They've got issues that are more important to them even though they care about their job, they have to step up to the plate for their family," he said.
Dimitri Garder, vice president of Global-Z International in Bennington, said his company sometimes had to pass the rising costs of health care onto employees.
"It's really just shifting costs. Effectively, it's the same thing as lowering their salaries," he said.
Garder said he was very encouraged to see the Obama administration's willingness to tackle health care reform.
Welch agreed. "It feels good showing up for work in Washington these days because it feels like we're trying to address the problems and not ignore them," Welch said.
In response to concerns from merchants who pay a fee to the banks every time a customer uses a credit card to make a purchase, Welch said he had submitted a bill that included provisions allowing merchants to offer incentives for using cash or to set a minimum for credit card purchases.
Darcy Carter, district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration in Vermont, told the audience they should be aware of an interest-free loan available for small businesses of up to $35,000.
Welch said he had heard complaints from some banks because of the paperwork involved for a relatively small loan.
"Frankly, I think we can ask our banks to help out here. The taxpayers are putting a lot into the banks to get them going again and we need some cooperation from the banks to stretch a bit," he said.
patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com
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