Wilmington business owners head to DC to talk health care reform ...

by Vicky Eckenrode

Two Wilmington small business owners are traveling to Washington D.C. next week to discuss health care reform with North Carolina’s lawmakers.

Kim Hirchak, co-owner of The Black Cat Shoppe and Wilmington Ghost Tours on Market Street, and Nequan Peartree Bell, owner of Shoe Diva on Princess Street, will leave Monday as part of the trip being sponsored by business and consumer advocacy groups that are supportive of the proposed overhaul legislation, including the government-run public insurance option.

The trip will include 100 small business owners from across the country and four from North Carolina.

The blitz is sponsored by U.S. Public Interest Group, Main Street Alliance, Small Business Majority, and Consumers Union.

Hirchak and Bell are expected to meet with Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-Lumberton, whose district covers Wilmington.

“Wilmington is chock full of start up and small businesses. Most don’t have health insurance,” said Lauren Dula, organizer for the N.C. Main Street Alliance-Wilmington group, which is planning to release a survey from business owners next week about their thoughts on health care coverage.

While most business groups have spoken out against rising premium burdens on owners, they have split over whether to endorse the current plans in the Senate and House.

For example, groups like the National Federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce continue to lobby against inclusion of  a public option in the bill.

Read  here what Hirchak has to say about her business’ health care situation and what she would like Congress to do.

Vicky Eckenrode covers health and medicine for the StarNews including the way the local hospitals run to area residents coping with illness to public health concerns that affect the community.

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