JOHN M. VALENTINO: Health reform vital to Valley business

Published online on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

If you're like me, you have experienced confusion and uncertainty as you analyze health care reform. The issues are complicated, partisan rhetoric is common and our individual health care experiences are relatively limited when contrasted to the realities of a complex system.

I've spent some time attempting to sort through the noise, or at least identify core beliefs because, in my view, there is no more important issue than our health and our health care system. For me, being healthy is inextricably linked to having a productive, fulfilling life.

As a small business owner for more than 30 years, I believe success is dependent upon developing strong, productive relationships with our employees, clients and suppliers. Health care is a key component of the long-term relationships we need to succeed and to the basic opportunities each employee deserves.

Though it's rare in this region, our landscape contracting business provides health insurance to our 20 employees and their families. We believe it's the right thing to do and makes good business sense.

A healthy work force is more stable and productive. After 30 years, we are proud at Truxell and Valentino Landscape Development Inc. to continue to work hard to improve and prosper with a healthy, top-quality work force.

Providing affordable health coverage is a business strategy with compelling benefits for employers, employees and our collective well-being. It seems to me there should be a process that requires employers and employees to address this very basic need together.

Sadly, fewer and fewer employers are offering coverage because costs are escalating out of sight, and for small business owners the administrative burdens can be overwhelming. We know from painful experience that losing money is a disaster that seems to lurk unyieldingly. Health insurance costs continue to increase and can be difficult to justify if similar businesses can choose not to incur those costs.

One of the reasons for high costs, unfortunately, is the high number of people who are uninsured. We end up paying for them in a manner that is fundamentally wrong and not in our long term economic interest.

Part of the problem stems from employees who do not accept responsibility for their health and health care. We have, at times, been frustrated by employees who have tried to eschew high-quality insurance in favor of a $5 clinic, which then requires we pay twice for their care and they pay almost nothing.

Here in the Central San Joaquin Valley, we have some of the highest rates of uninsured families in the state and the nation. That's why I support comprehensive health care reform with a goal of making health care coverage more affordable and convenient for small businesses.

It appears to me we will be paying an even higher price in the future if health reform stalls. The Center for American Progress estimates that, without comprehensive health care reform, family premiums will likely continue to skyrocket, increasing by 70% over the next nine years. That means even fewer companies and individuals will be able to afford the coverage we all need, and small businesses and our employees will be especially vulnerable.

Doing nothing appears to me to be a destructive option. Our health care system should be reformed to reduce costs to families and businesses, expand coverage to those who don't have it, and ensure our economy doesn't collapse under the weight of an insurance burden that is quickly gobbling up more and more of our economy's productivity.

We all should strive to be healthy in our own ways. I recommend eating for good health -- my own regimen includes yogurt and sardines (they are delightful together) -- staying active and choosing to be productive and fulfilled.

In the bigger picture, my belief is that comprehensive health care reform is key to keeping our work force healthy, our businesses competitive and our region prosperous.