Hospitality industry bands together to offer health insurance to its workforce.

Chris Campisi’s eyes tear up when he remembers 14 years ago, a time when his family was stretched to the limit emotionally and financially by multiple health crises.

At the same time he was hospitalized for cancer treatment, his 18-month-old daughter – who suffers from a rare disorder – was in the neonatal intensive care unit, leaving his nine-month-pregnant wife to walk back and forth between them.

“I don’t want to see anyone else in that position,” he says.

A year ago, Campisi, owner of Campisi Financial in downtown Monterey, approached the Monterey County Hospitality Association about forming a health and welfare trust to bring affordable health insurance to its 250 association members, representing approximately 23,000 hospitality workers.

Teddy Balestreri, chair of the hospitality association, says the plan “seemed too good to be true,” but the more board members studied it, the more they realized the “huge benefit” it would bring to small business owners and workers, many of whom struggle to meet expenses in a region with a high cost of living.

The first-of-its kind plan in the county would allow small hospitality business owners to pool together and purchase employee health insurance at rates usually reserved for big businesses. In addition, the insurance would not charge older workers more, nor would it penalize workers with large families.

After a year of planning, the once “unbelievable” proposal is now a reality. Last week the organization unveiled the Monterey County Hospitality Association Health and Welfare Trust, a 501(c)(9) nonprofit. The trust partnered with United Healthcare to provide the insurance.

Starting Aug. 1, participating MCHA member businesses will offer insurance to eligible employees working 30 or more hours per week. A variety of medical, dental and vision plans are available to choose from. Employers will pay at least half of the premium, and the employee’s contribution amount must not total more than 9.5 percent of his or her income.

“With the uncertainty of the way health care is going on the national level, I’m glad we can provide a little bit of stability and peace of mind,” Balestreri says.

Campisi says the trust is a risk for his firm, which he estimates spent more than $250,000 to set it up; as the consultant behind it, Campisi Financial will eventually draw compensation for its management. However, if not enough employers or employees purchase insurance it could fall apart.

His team set a goal of signing up 800 hospitality employees by Aug. 1, and another 800 by Jan. 1, 2018. He says they must grow 20 percent each year to be sustainable, and hope to reach at least 6,000 participating employees.