business backgrounder | member services
“ To work for an employer that covers it 100 percent , you don ’ t find that anymore . It ’ s a huge savings on the employee side .
It makes you feel like they appreciate you to take on that kind of financial burden .”
— George Bertsch , a mechanic , driver and operator for Dan Tapani Excavating , on the company-provided health insurance through HealthChoice
“ The coverage is great ,” said co-owner Andy Tapani . He and his brother , Michael , run the company founded four decades ago by their father . “ Looking for a health care plan for employees is very challenging . There are not a lot of options out there . We ’ re very happy with AWB coming into Clark County with another option .”
The Battle Ground-based company provides fully paid health insurance for its 20 employees and their families . It ’ s a major investment , but one that Tapani takes seriously .
“ Without good employees , Dan Tapani Excavating wouldn ’ t be where it is today ,” Andy Tapani said . “ We ’ re like a family . One thing we do to show our appreciation is pay for health insurance for the whole family . That means a lot . It costs a lot to provide ... they appreciate it .”
He has heard from employees and their families that they have noticed the affordable co-pays and a bigger network of local health care providers under HealthChoice .
One of those employees is George Bertsch , who has been a mechanic , driver and operator for Dan Tapani Excavating for five years . His great-grandfather ran the first shop in Battle Ground , and Bertsch was just 6 years old when he started getting his hands dirty in an engine , working on the spark plugs for his three-wheeler .
“ It ’ s huge nowadays ,” Bertsch said of employer-provided health insurance while talking with Washington Business in the company ’ s shop recently . “ That ’ s a major expense . To work for an employer that covers it 100 percent , you don ’ t find that anymore . It ’ s a huge savings on the employee side . It makes you feel like they appreciate you to take on that kind of financial burden .”
Since 1996 , small business members have relied on comprehensive , fully-insured health care coverage through the AWB HealthChoice Trust . Until now , that has not included Clark County .
“ Due to its proximity to Oregon ’ s border , health care offerings in Clark County have historically been somewhat of a challenge and limited . Having more choice and competition in the market is very important and I ’ m pleased that HealthChoice is now an option for my small business clients here ,” said Carl Haeger of Bill Haeger & Associates .
George Bertsch has been a mechanic , driver and operator for Dan Tapani Excavating for five years . He is one of about 20 employees in the company who are now being covered by AWB ’ s HealthChoice health insurance . spring 2024 37