Health care reform takes another step forward.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled the Democrats' bill late Wednesday, leaving some Austin business owners brushing up on both the House and Senate bills to decipher what it could cost them and their employees.
While employees of ABC Home and Commercial Services work to keep your lawn healthy and your home maintained, the company hopes proposed health care reform won't break the bank.
"I believe private business can do a really good job. I believe insurance companies can do a good job. So I'm a little nervous about that," said company president Bobby Jenkins.
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Health Care Bills
As News 8's Karina Kling reports, some Austin business owners are brushing up on both the House and Senate bills.
 
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Jenkins' company employs more than 400 people and offers health insurance benefits.
For smaller businesses like The Greening Law Firm, a company with 10 employees, Ron Greening said listening in to experts discuss current health care reform efforts at a chamber luncheon made him wonder where his business could end up.
"It could adversely affect firms like ours in considering or even hiring new people. We might hire folks on a contract basis to avoid the liabilities of health care," Greening said.
Greening isn't alone, as small businesses make up a big percentage of the state's economy.
"If you look at the employers in the state of Texas, more than 80 percent are these smaller employers with payrolls under half a million dollars," Stacey Pogue with the Center for Public Policy Priorities said.
Pogue said under the House bill, smaller employers will be exempt from penalties for not providing health coverage.
With the Senate bill however, those companies not providing coverage could face more fines, which could affect hiring practices.
"There's a lot of concern in the community about how [fines] would affect the job market especially for low income individuals," Pogue said.
The CPPP said the proposed Senate bill would cost less, but cover fewer people than the House bill.
Republicans have vowed to try to block it as it goes to the full Senate. Debate on the floor is expected by week's end.
