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A restaurant run by a Chinese-American couple in Atlanta came under financial pressure due to the owner’s cancer and employee injuries, causing health insurance premiums to skyrocket. They ultimately relied on community fundraising and customer support to survive the crisis.
Health insurance costs continue to rise in the United States, and a major illness can plunge even a small business into financial ruin. Georgiaatlanta A couple who run a Chinese and Western fusion restaurant are famous for theirSugar The boss was suffering from breast cancer and the employees were injured in an accident, causing the monthly insurance premium for all employees to rise from 4,000 yuan to 21,869 yuan, almost four times the restaurant’s rent.
According to CNN, Jen Chan (transliteration) and his wife Emily Chan co-own Jenchan, a restaurant in Atlanta’s Cabbagetown community, and Mickelson Market grocery store in the nearby Reynoldstown community.
Chen Zhen was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In April this year, she was celebrating the end of her treatment. Unexpectedly, a follow-up examination found that there were still cancer cells in her lymph nodes and she had to undergo another year of chemotherapy.
While Chen Zhen was undergoing treatment, the couple received a notice from their insurance agent that due to a large number of medical claims arising from cancer treatment and another employee’s unexpected surgery, insurance premiums for all of the restaurant’s employees would increase significantly.
The average monthly premium per restaurant employee was originally about 491 yuan, but was later increased to 1,135 yuan. In June this year, due to the increase in claims expenses, the premium per person exceeded 2,400 yuan, and the monthly bill of nine insured employees reached nearly 21,868 yuan.
Chen Zhen said restaurants can’t even insure employees’ spouses and children, and can only protect full-time employees.
The couple had added an optional 4% medical surcharge to customers’ bills in early 2024, hoping to sharehealth insurance However, customers complained on social media, leading to controversy and even death threats. In fact, even if this fee is retained, it still would not be enough to cover the premiums.
Insurance agent Trey Wilson said that due to the restaurant’s past high claims record, other insurance companies were unwilling to cover it, leaving the couple with few options.
Larry Levitt, vice president of KFF, a medical policy research organization, explained that small businesses can usually choose only self-pay or partially self-pay insurance, and the employer bears a certain amount of the risk of medical claims. Premiums may be low if employees are healthy, but if someone becomes seriously ill, costs may increase.
According to 2021 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 32% of workers in the accommodation and catering services industry have health insurance, much lower than 77% of workers in the entire private sector. A survey by the National Federation of Independent Business also found that 98% of small business employers that offer health insurance are worried that they will not be able to afford insurance in the next five to ten years.
In addition to high premiums, Chen Zhen’s treatment also faces insurance payment restrictions. The doctor originally recommended the use of immunotherapy drugs, but the insurance company refused to approve it, so he had to use other treatments.
Before raising the money, the couple already owed about 12,000 yuan in medical expenses, and another 60,000 yuan of bills remained to be paid. Not wanting to cancel her employee health insurance, Emily decided to ask for help from the community through GoFundMe.
After the news spread, more than 1,700 people donated, raising more than $128,000. Long-term customers said the couple not only run the restaurant, but also form deep friendships through community activities, neighborhood exchanges and caring staff, so residents are willing to lend a helping hand in times of difficulty.
Max Reginello, the restaurant’s floor manager, was injured while bicycling to work last year. He had to undergo surgery and stop working. The couple also helped raise money to pay for medical and living expenses.
Chen Zhen is still continuing chemotherapy at the end of the year. In addition to using the funds raised to pay medical and insurance bills, the couple also used a portion of the remaining funds to establish the Employee Medical Emergency Assistance Fund.
