Glass Doctor Goes to Washington, Talks Healthcare Reform

Ed Sieber, owner of the Glass Doctor of Charlotte franchise, discussed the impact of healthcare reform on small businesses across the country with U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and U.S. Senator Kay Hagen (D-NC). Ed was in Washington D.C. as part of the International Franchise Association (IFA) 10th Annual Public Affairs Conference.

“We urged our congressional leaders to focus on reducing the cost of health care, improving the quality and efficiency of the health care system, and making health insurance affordable for businesses to offer to their employees,” said Sieber, who is the Glass Doctor national Franchisee of the Year. “There are more than 900,000 franchised businesses responsible for 21 million jobs and $2.3 trillion of private-sector output in the U.S. We will have a great impact on the economic recovery, so we appreciate having our voices heard.”

In addition to health care, Sieber and other franchise owners are concerned about the state of short-term financing.

“The government has offered some limited short-term loans through the Small Business Administration, but to really jump-start the economy we feel Congress should promote more lending so that we can offer more jobs and invest in our businesses,” Sieber said. “A 40 percent reduction in franchise lending is expected this year, which would result in the loss of an estimated 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.”

Sieber’s business was directly affected by the stagnant economy earlier this year. He closed one of his three Charlotte-area glass shops in January. Now business is slowly returning, but Sieber does not have the cash to add glass service technicians and his business does not qualify for a short-term loan.

“Ultimately if the short-term loan and revolving credit logjam is broken and meaningful health care reform is enacted, then the consumer will benefit the most,” Sieber said. “Small businesses like ours will be able to expand our products and services, and then we can hire more people. Hopefully both parties in Congress will work together so that the economic recovery will take off.”