Mark Hatcher, Bucane Medical Supplies, Superior Pocahontas Construction - West Virginia

Logan, WV

I own Superior Pocahontas Construction and Bucane Medical Supplies, both based in Logan, WV. Before opening my own businesses, I was a registered nurse (RN). When my daughter was born three months early, she was in the NICU for several months. During that time, I was only able to take off four days, because I did not have access to paid leave. My wife was unable to work during this time and was with our daughter in the hospital.

Now that I’m a business owner, I want to offer paid leave and for me, even a payroll tax would be an easier way for everyone to afford it. I offer health insurance at my company of 40 or so employees, but some times it’s not enough. Once, I had an employee who developed gangrene and had to take extended time off work to heal. I didn't want to lose the employee so paid him out of pocket when he was unable to be at work. A national paid leave program would be critical for situations we cannot predict.