Martha Zoller
Georgia small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy, employing nearly 1.7 million people (which is 42% of the entire workforce). They are the lifeblood of local communities, generating tax revenue for area schools and vital services. These job creators often partner with local non-profit organizations to support the less fortunate, promote the arts, or advance benevolent missions for the greater good.
Sadly, these employers have experienced numerous storms over the years and have had to navigate economic instability along the way. From the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered doors and forced customers to stay home, to the rising cost of energy, insurance, and technology, local businesses, like mine, are finding it harder to invest, expand, and thrive. For some of my fellow business leaders, turning a profit has become nothing short of a miracle.
On the ledger of expenses, healthcare costs continue to provide the most concern for those with tight margins. While Georgia businesses are committed to providing coverage to their employees, 99% of plan sponsors believe that high drug prices are a significant threat to the affordability of employer-provided health care coverage for employees and their families. Unlike large corporations that can digest volatile markets and runaway expenses, uncontrollable costs lead to an unsustainable business model that starts with layoffs and ends with a business closure.
Thankfully, threats to Georgia business owners and employees were alleviated earlier this year in the General Assembly when legislation to ban “white bagging” was abandoned in the eleventh hour.
White bagging is a common practice that safeguards employer health benefits plans for dramatic fluctuations in pricing. With white bagging, specialty pharmacies can bypass hospitals and ship clinician-administered drugs directly to patient’s doctor. This practice complies with all federal regulations and allows insurers and employers to avoid paying the mark-up that hospitals tack on the bill.
A ban on white bagging would allow hospital mark-ups on prescription drug prices to go unchecked, dramatically increasing the price of an employer sponsored health plan. With some hospitals adding a 200-400% to the total cost, employers would be stuck with a bill they simply could not afford to pay.
As a small business owner in Gainesville, I am grateful for our state and local leaders who work around the clock to keep this community safe, strong, and prosperous. As we approach the 2025 Legislative Session, I urge our delegation to reject any legislation banning white bagging and ensure that we continue utilizing cost-saving tools that keep healthcare affordable for all hardworking Georgians.
Martha Zoller is a radio talk show host and co-owner of Correctional Nursing Services, LLC
