I practically grew up in a barbecue restaurant in Texas that had been in the family for years. I worked there when I was old enough to reach the counter. Both of my parents worked there at some point. My aunts, uncles and grandparents worked there. And four “illegal” immigrants I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Whenever I hear people talk about work ethic I wish they could have witnessed what I witnessed – these men that would work 12-14 hour days for $8 an hour with no overtime pay, and worked harder than anyone I’ve ever seen making any amount of money. I’ve since been a CEO of a small company and have worked 14 hour days 7 days a week – and at times just to lose money, but for the most part I did much better than $8 – yet one of these immigrants put 3 daughters through college in the United States, one of them now an immigration attorney. Another bought a working ranch back home in México and is set for life on his own land. One of them bought a food truck and started his own business. As a republican I’m used to colleagues and peers having a more hard-lined stance on immigration than my own, but now that I’m an “illegal” immigrant in México – and very much welcomed with open arms, I have a much better understanding of what the Statue of Liberty is supposed to be standing for. While legitimate arguments can be made on both sides of current immigration law, I think any reasonable person would at least agree on this- all people working in America should have access to a doctor when they’re sick. Some people go a step further and say that health care should be a right guaranteed by the constitution, and a single-payer system is the only one that’s fair, but I believe in free market solutions over government intervention in whenever possible. There are some things that require tax dollars and governments for solutions, but health care isn’t one of them. I agree that sick people should have access to a doctor regardless of nationality, but it’s not fair for tax payers to get the same health care non-tax payers get, and that’s why Health Karma is such an elegant solution for insuring health care for immigrant workers. Health Karma requires no social security number, only an address in the United States. Workers and their families get free lab work / wellness checks once a year. Unlimited access to primary care physicians with $0 copay. Discounts on prescriptions, dental, vision, hearing, vitamins, chronic care & more. Employers who start group plans can cover their workers for $29.95 or their whole families for $49.99 regardless of immigration status. I’ve heard some small businesses say they couldn’t compete if they didn’t have “illegal” workers – which is definitely debatable, but while that debate rages on as long as we have a two party system in America, a free market solution that’s paid for by employers of “illegals” and not taxpayers is both fair, and the right thing to do. Especially in times like these where the health of one person can effect the health of so many, it would be irresponsible to deny anyone access to health care. Cj Contractor Services offers benefits for contractors, 1099, gig-workers – and yes, “illegal” immigrants, because everyone has a right to good health, but it’s not the taxpayers responsibility. For a confidential, no-obligation consultation on how to start a group plan for your business that offers quality, affordable health care to all of your workers – regardless of nationality, contact us today.