FireflySci Grapples with Rising Health Insurance Costs
NORTHPORT, N.Y., March 20, 2025 – Small businesses across the United States are confronting a significant surge in health insurance expenses, a trend that is putting their financial stability and competitiveness at risk.
FireflySci, a small American company producing cuvettes and calibration standards for laboratories worldwide, is one such business. Over the past few years, the company has seen its annual health insurance costs from United Healthcare Oxford increase by more than $10,000.
“This trend is simply unsustainable,” said Sim Woitovich, a spokesperson for FireflySci. “We’re doing everything we can to support our hardworking employees and preserve their benefits, but health insurance premiums are skyrocketing at an overwhelming rate. It’s creating an acute financial strain on businesses like ours, forcing impossible choices.”
The impact of escalating health insurance costs extends beyond FireflySci. According to findings by the Kaiser Family Foundation, health insurance costs for businesses have increased substantially over the past decade, which directly impacts the capacity of small businesses to compete in a volatile economic climate. Small businesses usually lack the negotiating power of larger corporations when it comes to securing affordable insurance, putting them at a disadvantage. This endangers their viability and their ability to attract and retain talented employees.
At FireflySci, the increased costs have led to a reevaluation of manufacturing budgets and benefits structures. “Health insurance stands as one of the most critical benefits we provide. Yet, the rising premiums are consuming resources that we could otherwise use to grow our business and stimulate innovation,” Woitovich explained. “We cannot maintain this trajectory year after year without serious long-term consequences.”
The repercussions of this crisis are far-reaching. Across the nation, numerous small businesses are struggling with similar challenges. Some are forced to cut coverage, shift more costs to employees, or reduce their workforce. For many entrepreneurs, the dream of owning a small business is challenged by the uphill battle against rising operational costs.
The consequences also extend to the broader U.S. economy. Small businesses which employ nearly half of the country’s private-sector workforce, contribute significantly to innovation and local development. However, rising operational costs, driven by health insurance premiums, threaten to impede their growth and their ability to compete.
FireflySci is encouraging policymakers to take immediate action to address this crisis. By prioritizing healthcare reform and introducing measures to control rising premiums, lawmakers can assist small businesses and level the playing field for all. “As a nation, we need to find a solution that ensures affordable and accessible healthcare for Americans without placing an unbearable financial burden on small businesses,” Sim urged. “Our business owners and employees deserve better.”Small businesses like FireflySci are integral to the American economy, and their voices should not be ignored. It is time for leaders, insurers, and stakeholders to work together to develop actionable solutions to this urgent matter.
FireflySci Inc., based in Long Island, NY, is a major provider of quartz cuvettes and spectroscopy accessories. Committed to innovation and precision, FireflySci serves customers across a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to academia.
