government
Rising healthcare costs are straining Texas businesses as the Legislature seeks solutions
By Texas Tribune, Paul Cobler at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 6, 2026
· 11 min read
The expenses to operate three restaurants in Waco are rising across the board, but there’s one growing cost in particular that feels nearly impossible to manage — providing employee health insurance, co-owner Kyle Citrano said. “Every year, it can change on you in a heartbeat,” said Citrano, whos...
Key takeaway “Every year, it can change on you in a heartbeat,” said Citrano, whose family runs George’s, George’s #2 and Jorge’s Cantina.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The struggle to manage rising healthcare costs is likely to resonate with business owners in Tomball , where small to medium-sized enterprises are a significant part of the local economy. As the Texas Legislature seeks solutions to this issue, Tomball businesses may be watching closely to see how proposed changes could impact their bottom line. With many local businesses operating on thin margins, the added burden of increasing health insurance costs could lead to difficult decisions about employee benefits or even staffing levels. The fact that federal law requires employers with more than 50 employees to provide health insurance means that larger Tomball businesses may be particularly affected by rising costs. As the legislative session approaches, Tomball business owners may be looking for relief from these growing expenses, which could have a significant impact on the local job market and economy.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 11 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The expenses to operate three restaurants in Waco are rising across the board, but there’s one growing cost in particular that feels nearly impossible to manage — providing employee health insurance, co-owner Kyle Citrano said. “Every year, it can change on you in a heartbeat,” said Citrano, whos...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Paul Cobler at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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