Listen to needs

California lawmakers are currently considering several proposals to help make health coverage more affordable for Californians. As a small business owner who has benefitted from Covered California for Small Business (CCSB), I know firsthand how important it is to make health coverage more affordable and accessible for our state’s job creators.

Because my husband and I both receive insurance through our veteran status, offering healthcare was not a priority when we converted our farm to a working business. However, farm hands are hard to come by, and we had to find a way to become more competitive employers. When reevaluating the hiring process, I wondered what more we could offer potential employees. I quickly realized that providing benefits like healthcare would be crucial to maintaining a talented workforce, and CCSB allowed me to do that.

Offering healthcare is not only good for my employees but also benefits my bottom line, as it helps with employee attraction and retention. That’s why I hope our lawmakers will listen to the needs of California’s small businesses and pass legislation that will promote healthcare affordability throughout the state.

Stepheni Norton resides in National City.