There’s an old movie titled Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. In it, Jimmy Stewart plays an idealistic youth leader named Jefferson Smith who is unexpectedly appointed to the United States Senate. He arrives in Washington, D.C. with a deep belief in democracy and a vision rooted in the principles of Abraham Lincoln and the Declaration of Independence. He soon finds himself at odds with a deeply corrupt political system, clashing with a powerful businessman whose political machine controls many of the state’s politicians and media. In what might be the film’s most recognizable scene, Mr. Smith fights back with a lengthy, one-man filibuster on the Senate floor, delivering a passionate speech about liberty and integrity toppling corruption.
Mr. Smith shows that a single person can make a difference.
My Recent Experience in Washington
In a much less dramatic scene, I was on Capitol Hill last week speaking on a small business owner panel at a congressional staff briefing on the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs). Like Mr. Smith, my mission was simple: to share my story and make a case for why extending the EPTCs is not a partisan issue, but a conflict we must resolve for the health of our economy. With approximately 80% of attorneys in the U.S. working in small and solo practices, I estimate that other licensed professionals are in similar situations, meaning that doctors (55%), psychologists (59%), social workers (65%), funeral directors (76%), and other professionals also rely heavily on the ACA for health insurance and the EPTCs to afford the premiums.
We need to keep healthy the professionals who keep us healthy.
My Latest Story of Resilience
Mine is a story common to small business owners since the global COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a story of struggle and resilience. For the past 22 years years, I have been operating my business in New York City. The city and I share a resilient history. I was scheduled for my first NYC-area interview at 9 AM on 9/11. After I made it my home, we shared a blackout, a hurricane, a superstorm, a violent assault, the pandemic, and more.
But like so many entrepreneurs, I had to make difficult decisions to survive the economic fallout of the pandemic. The immense financial pressure from my business and personal debt, including student loans from 2001 and a pandemic-era EIDL loan, forced me to sell my home of 19 years in NYC and relocate to Virginia. That move allowed me to get out of debt, but it left me and my business in a precarious place. I am still rebuilding after the move, an uninsured broken leg, and a dental procedure. Just as I am starting to gain momentum, I could be uninsured yet again.
Why Health Insurance Matters for Small Business Owners
Although I miss NYC every day, the move to VA allowed me to get health insurance for the first time in several years. I can get preventative care and, if I need it, treatment for accidents or illnesses–at least until the end of 2025. The EPTCs were a vital part of me getting insurance. Without the EPTCs, the sacrifices I made could be for naught. Come January 1, 2026, I could be uninsured again—something I don’t take lightly at age 56.
Health insurance is also a serious concern for my business. Although I am currently the only employee of Third Ear Conflict Resolution, I had planned to add staff again next year. Without a healthy me, there is no business to expand. This is not just my personal struggle; it is a systemic conflict. The data proves it. Self-employed individuals and small business owners are three times more likely than other Americans to rely on the ACA Marketplace for health insurance. For us, these credits are not a luxury but a lifeline while we improve our business’ health.
Another Perfect Storm
The looming expiration of the EPTCs is a policy conflict with real-world consequences. Insurers, preparing for a less healthy marketplace and the loss of subsidies, have already filed for premium increases that are the largest in over five years. This has already led to proposed rate hikes of over 20% in some states, and experts are predicting an average premium increase of over 75% for consumers if the credits are allowed to lapse.
My most recent calculations indicate I could be billed $1,000.00 each month for a Bronze plan with a high deductible. I could be required to pay $20,000.00 each year before the insurance carrier pays 50% of my expenses. At that point, I’m again forced with a choice between a home and health insurance. This time, I will choose my home. I am not alone. This tangible “sticker shock” will directly impact millions of families and small business owners.
As a conflict resolution professional, I know that true resolution requires us to move beyond adversarial, power-based struggles. On the Hill, the debate over health care is often framed as an all-or-nothing partisan fight. But the truth is, we are all seeking the same thing: a stable economy where we can work, grow, and take care of ourselves and our families.
The HAQ Framework and a Way Forward
Third Ear Conflict Resolution’s mission is to resolve disputes humanely, affordably, and quickly. I believe we can use the HAQ framework to resolve the current health care conflicts:
- Humanely. The EPTCs provide a humane solution, preventing entrepreneurs like me from having to choose between our health, homes, and livelihoods. It’s about more than just a premium—it’s about the security and peace of mind that allows small business owners to contribute to the economy and the communities around them.
- Affordably.These credits have made health insurance truly affordable for people rebuilding their lives. The average monthly premium in New York City is $627, while in my new home in Virginia it’s $371.
- Quickly. We need Congress to act quickly. Insurers have already filed 2026 rates assuming the credits will lapse. Allowing this to happen would not only cause millions of people to lose coverage , but it would also lead to a projected loss of 286,000 jobs and a $57 billion reduction in economic output.
Conclusion
The story of Mr. Smith is about one person’s truth cutting through the noise. My truth is that the EPTCs are a crucial element of my personal and professional comeback story. Extending them is not a partisan issue—it is a smart economic choice and a critical step toward creating a more stable future for small businesses across America and everyone who purchases from them, including governments and large employers. We’re all in this together. Let’s act like it.