Congress’ plans are not answer, says Franklin businessman

Greg Knox, president Knox Machinery, Inc. in Franklin, has to quit paying 100-percent of employee's medical insurance and some of his employees have moved to a health savings account plan. Staff photo by Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart/Dayton Daily News Staff Photogra Greg Knox, president Knox Machinery, Inc. in Franklin, has to quit paying 100-percent of employee's medical insurance and some of his employees have moved to a health savings account plan. Staff photo by Chris Stewart

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By Jessica Wehrman, Staff Writer Updated 10:51 PM Saturday, August 29, 2009

Greg Knox started his business in Franklin in 1996 with the idea that he would offer 100 percent health care coverage to his employees.

That decision hasn’t been easy to stick with. Costs have skyrocketed, and last year, Knox decided to switch to health savings accounts that cover 100 percent after an employee pays a $4,000 deductible.

“If anyone should be excited about free health care or switching the burden over to citizens, it should be me,” he said.

But he’s not.

Knox, 47, calls himself a “vehement” opponent of the health care proposals being considered in Congress. He said he’s traveled the world enough to know that the United States’ system is far preferable to any other alternative.

“Are there problems with our health care system?” he said. “Absolutely. As someone facing increases in excess of 20 percent annually a year for the last 10 plus years, I know there are problems with the system.”

But “I don’t think what the government is proposing addresses those problems at all.”

He said the government could fix the problem through meaningful tort reform, a crackdown on unfair practices by insurance companies and a more efficient system of health care delivery.

Knox’s business, Knox Machinery, distributes high-tech metal cutting machinery and employs somewhere between 10 and 50 people. He said he knows firsthand the value of good coverage. He has six children.

“We have a lot of needs,” he said, estimating he’s spent thousands of dollars in the last two months alone on eye care and dental alone.

But getting the government involved in health care isn’t the answer, according to Knox.

“Whenever the government steps into the private sector it offends me,” he said.

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