Island businesses take their concerns on health care to the nation

Hilton Head Island might seem an unlikely place to find a push for health insurance reform, but two local business owners are sharing their thoughts on the issue in

national forums.

Signe Gardo, owner of Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery & Cafe, was interviewed by "CBS News Sunday Morning" reporter Rita Braver on Thursday for an upcoming segment about the challenges small businesses face providing health care for their employees.

Gardo is one of several people nationally interviewed for the segment, which will air at 9 a.m. Oct. 12.

"I'm the local employer who is interested in getting insurance for my people, but haven't had it in years because it's too expensive," Gardo said of her role in the story.

Gardo told Braver she doesn't want government-mandated or government-designed programs. Instead she wants basic coverage choices from the free market.

"I want less restrictions," Gardo said. "Get out of my hair and give me choices."

Like Gardo, Patricia Owen, owner of Faces Day Spa, recently was asked to share her thoughts about health insurance, but in a different forum.

She testified before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce late last month as part of a panel that included Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

Owen said she was challenged by committee members on how valuable her plan, which has a $6,000 deductible but covers 100 percent of costs beyond that, is to her employees.

In response, Owen said the plan is in place to make sure medical bills don't overwhelm her workers. A $6,000 deductible is high, but it's better than no coverage and running up tens of thousands of dollars worth of bills, she said.

Owen also urged lawmakers to allow small businesses to pool together, even across state lines, to provide less costly insurance options.

Health insurance has been on the mind of people in the business community in recent years. Last year, the Hilton Head Area Hospitality Association put together health insurance offerings for people who work in the area.

The Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber of Commerce started offering group coverage at a discounted rate to members.