OLYMPIA – San Francisco Street Bakery co-owner Gene Otto says that without health care reform, he’s not sure how much longer he will be able to pay his employee health insurance premiums.

Otto traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to deliver that message; he was one of about 120 business owners from throughout the country who lobbied the state’s congressional delegation about the need for health care reform. Otto’s trip was paid for by the Washington Community Action Network, a grassroots lobbying organization.

For the past 15 of the 20 years that the bakery has been in business, Otto and his wife, Judi Mendoza, have offered employees some form of health care coverage, he said. He acknowledged that they’ve never been able to offer a “Cadillac-type” health plan, but said he believes his employees deserve something. His father received good benefits as an employee of the federal government in Ohio, and his siblings had good health coverage working for General Motors, he said.

“I saw what it did for my family,” said Otto, 54. “People didn’t worry.”

Of his 20 employees, seven have elected to have health care coverage, he said. Five are covered under a “catastrophic” health care plan, which means the deductible is higher so the employee covers a larger share of health costs. Two other staff members qualified for the state’s Basic Health program, Otto said. A group health care plan was too expensive, and the catastrophic plan continues to become more expensive, he said. Otto said he pays $800 a month in medical premiums, while his daughter gets health insurance through the college she attends.

“We pay more for that coverage than we used to pay for full coverage,” he said, adding that the catastrophic plan does not offer dental or eye care. “We just went with basic coverage so we aren’t financially ruined.”

During the meeting with lawmakers, including Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Otto explained the health care issues he faces as a small-business owner and sought their opinions about the current health care legislation.

Otto said he hopes the new legislation will allow his small business to participate in a larger pool of insurers, providing more choice and coverage at a competitive rate.

“It’s a historic chance to help small-business people and the broader population,” Otto said.

Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403

rboone@theolympian.com