Sen. Susan Collins did a disservice to small business owners across Maine and the nation recently when she voted in favor of a tax plan that gives massive tax cuts to the wealthy and large corporations and does nothing for small business owners and the middle class.

Sen. Collins’ vote not only gives huge tax breaks to big businesses, but will also result in a 10 percent increase in health insurance premiums, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

As a small business owner, health insurance premiums are already a huge cost that will now get even bigger. I was incredibly disappointed to see Collins reverse her previously principled stance to vote for a bill that will raise my premiums and leave more people without health insurance.

My fellow small business owners across feel the same. Polling by Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform found 51 percent of small business owners oppose repealing the mandate requiring individuals buy health insurance to fund the tax bill.

It’s not too late for Sen. Collins to stand up for small businesses and the middle class and reconsider her support as Congress works to reconcile the differences in the tax bills. I for one hope she does.

Diana Bowen

South China