The lack of paid leave is a huge problem for me as a small business owner. Over and over, legislators say we don’t need a paid family leave insurance program, that I should do this voluntarily.
I took hours away from my business to speak to multiple insurance agents. The private temporary disability plans fall short in many important ways. They are expensive. They are peppered with harmful carve-outs and would fail to cover the situations we’ve already encountered. They contain waiting periods, exclusions for cancer, and vary in plan offerings and pricing.
Small businesses need a transparent and reliable coverage option, and we need Congress to help to get there. A high-quality family and medical leave insurance plan will help my small business keep its valued employees and continue to grow and serve our community.