Local businesses worried changes could leave people without healthcare

CONCORD, N.C. — Inside Thermal Control Products, in Concord, offers healthcare for its employees, but its owner said that, since Obamacare, the cost has skyrocketed more than 67 percent.

“There's no external benefit for a company owner to offer health insurance for their employees, especially now that we're up to 38 employees and they've taken all the tax benefits away,” said Matte, the company’s owner.

Matte said some businesses are no longer hiring full-time positions to avoid offering healthcare.

If the cost keeps climbing, Thermal Control Products may be forced to do the same.

Matte showed Channel 9 his company that makes heat protective equipment for many industries, from NASCAR to emergency kits for the military to trauma medical supplies.

Design manager Ron Horn, who is diabetic, said his medicine costs more.

“I’ve had to change brands midstream to another brand of insulin, not knowing how it would affect my body, Horn said.

Last week, Congressman Richard Hudson shared the company's struggle with other lawmakers.

As the fight over repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act continues in Washington, business owners hope lawmakers listen to their story.

“I don’t think our story is much different than somebody in California or in Michigan or in Florida,” Matte said.

Local business owners said they feel squeezed, but Obamacare supporters worry changes could leave millions without coverage.

“Are people really going to be able to afford insurance? Are we going to have a situation where there could potentially be millions of individuals that don't have access to care?” said Don Jones, at Care Ring.

Cox Media Group