On May 14, your business can be a lifeline

If you talk to a business owner or manager, one of the most pressing challenges they face is finding affordable health insurance for their employees.

As someone who spent more than 30 years in the insurance industry, I can tell you the problem is real and getting worse.

From large corporations to small (family-owned) businesses, providing quality healthcare at a reasonable price has become increasingly difficult. Premiums keep rising, while the quality of plans continues to decline at a pace that simply isn’t sustainable.

And ultimately, it’s workers who are paying the price — sometimes financially, and other times with their health.

Recent national reporting highlights just how serious this has become. Americans are making real, everyday tradeoffs just to afford healthcare. Consider this:

— 15% of Americans (38 million people) have stretched out prescriptions to save money.

— 15% have borrowed money to cover healthcare costs.

— 11% have skipped meals.

— 11% have driven less.

— 9% have cut back on utilities.

Most concerning of all, one in three American adults has had to make at least one of these tradeoffs.

These aren’t abstract statistics. They represent the day-to-day reality for ALICE families — households that are working hard, often full-time, and still struggling to afford the basics. Even with steady employment, many are being forced into impossible choices as the cost of living continues to rise.

For these families, deciding between paying rent, covering a medical bill, buying groceries, fixing a car, purchasing school supplies or paying a utility bill isn’t an occasional hardship. It’s a monthly reality.

Here in Central Georgia, 42% of families fall below the ALICE threshold, and that number continues to grow. That’s why the Brookdale Resource Center is so critical to our mission.

Brookdale often serves as the last line of defense for families on the brink. Its 45-day program offers a fresh start by providing shelter, food, clothing and other basic necessities, while trained caseworkers work alongside families to help them secure stable, independent housing.

Through strong partnerships with Macon-Bibb County, United Way and other community organizations, Brookdale has helped nearly 5,000 of our neighbors avoid falling deeper into poverty.

But this work doesn’t happen without community support — and on May 14, you have an opportunity to make a real impact.

We’re launching United We Dine, a community-wide initiative where local restaurants, shops and businesses will donate a portion of their sales for one day to support the Brookdale Resource Center. We’re looking for businesses across Central Georgia to step up and be part of something meaningful.

If you’re a business owner or manager and want to get involved, send me a message to sign up. Let’s come together and make a difference.

Carl Tims is the president and CEO of United Way of Central Georgia. Send him an email at uwceo@unitedwaycg.com. Learn more about the organization’s efforts at unitedwaycg.org.