Rochester, N.Y.—Jim Bursch made a choice two years ago to forgo health insurance that was offered by his employer, Certified Grinding and Machine, Inc. of Rochester.
“I make a choice now so I can help my kids with college expenses,” said Bursch.
A machine operator and grinder, Bursch wants affordable insurance but struggles with the expense.
Company owner Robert Rock said that roughly half of his employees are insured, some through his company, others through their spouses. Employees pay half of the cost of their premiums.
Rock said Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling essentially backing the Affordable Healthcare Act of 2010 will crush his ability to invest in equipment and hire more workers.
“Your choices are: either you don’t buy healthcare for your employees or maybe you go to contract labor where you don’t pay benefits whatsoever,” said Rock.
Certified Grinding and Machine has grown from 15 to 25 workers in the past two years according to Rock.
A Rochester heating company also spoke with 13WHAM News about the high court ruling, but felt it will not have a great impact on its business as it already offers health insurance to all fulltime employees. The company declined an on-camera interview.
Rock said it may be better for his company to pay penalties for not offering insurance than to offer it.
The law would reportedly penalize companies with 50-199 workers that do not offer insurance beginning in 2014.
