As an Owner of a Franchise, I Am an Independent Business Owner, and a Member of The

SAMPLE THANK YOU OP-ED #1

As the owner of a [insert brand] franchise, I am an independent, small business [man/woman] and a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA). The IFA has helped lead the charge to pass Small-Business Health Plans (S. 1955), which will level the health-insurance playing field and give participating small employers the same buying power as Fortune 500 companies and unions.

By allowing small businesses to band together through trade and professional associations to purchase affordable health benefits, small employers will have an opportunity to offer health care benefits to their employees due to the cost savings realized from greater bargaining power, economies of scale and administrative efficiencies. S. 1955 would also allow franchisors (a franchisee’s parent company, or umbrella company), to offer health care coverage to their franchisees across state lines.

With the majority of state legislatures introducing “fair share” health care bills this year, which would mandate that certain employers provide health insurance to their employees, it is only a matter of time before smaller and smaller businesses are included in such mandates. But like me, many small business owners want to offer health insurance to all of their employees and are struggling with the rising costs of health insurance premiums. With the balances tipped in favor of large corporations, which have 15-20% lower health care premiums than small businesses, the Senate must intervene and allow small businesses the same access to affordable health care coverage that big businesses and labor unions enjoy.

While unfortunate, opponents to SBHPs clearly do not understand the importance of small business to the state and national economy. As the number one job creator, small business – the backbone of thousands of local economies, communities, and families – deserves the right to affordable and accessible health care. I am disappointed that the Senate was unable to pass S. 1955 on May 11th, but thank Senator(s) XX for voting to allow a direct vote on the bill. I am proud that [s/he/they] [was/were] able to separate the rhetoric from the reality and stand up for small business.