U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner believes that the price of not undertaking health care reform is far too high.

“The notion that if we do nothing then everything will be fine — no reasonable person in possession of the facts will draw that conclusion,” Warner said Tuesday at a roundtable discussion at C’ville Coffee with two dozen Charlottesville-area small business owners.

The rising cost of federal health care programs — namely Medicare, Medicaid and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health benefits — are rapidly growing the federal deficit, the Alexandria Democrat said. And in 10 years, he added, the cost of health insurance premiums is expected to double.

“Doing nothing,” Warner said, will “absolutely undermine our economy.”

Warner told the business owners that he does not yet support any of the various health care reform proposals working their way through Congress.

For Warner to support a bill, he said, the measure must drive down the cost of health premiums and not contribute to the size of the deficit.

Warner criticized how the health care reform proposal has been laid out, noting that it has been the subject of much misinformation and demagoguery.

“It hasn’t been laid out in the way that I would have laid it out,” Warner said. “Maybe I’m too used to being the CEO, not just the junior senator.”

Warner said there has been a “smear campaign” against certain ideas included in the health care reform proposal, such as the notion that physicians could be reimbursed for time spent discussing end-of-life care decisions with senior citizens.

“It’s about honoring people’s choices,” Warner said. “To see this smear campaign — it’s been sickening.”

Warner blamed much of the misinformation on right-wing radio hosts. “Some of this is coming from both sides, but more of it is coming from the talk radio crowd,” he said.

Robert Amacker, owner of Process Engineering & Fabrication in Afton, told Warner that his company employs 10 people but he cannot afford to provide them with health insurance, particularly in the current difficult economic climate.

“Is the health care package going to have some sort of public option or some way for small employers to provide health insurance to their employees?” Amacker asked.

Warner replied that none of the health care reform proposals being considered would mandate that small businesses provide health insurance to employees. Small business owners, he added, are “getting hosed” on health care costs.

“You’re basically the only people in the system paying retail,” he said.

Warner did not come out strongly in favor of a government-sponsored health insurance option, which advocates believe would increase competition among private health insurance companies and drive down costs. Warner said he supports competitive alternatives, but he does not support universal health care provided by the government.

“I do not support a single-payer health care system,” he said. “I do not support a totally government-run system.”

Warner has not yet held any town hall meetings on health care reform, but is expected to host several forums around the state in the next couple weeks.

Much of Warner’s visit centered on how the federal government can help small businesses.

Several small business owners complained that it is difficult obtaining the $35,000 “America’s Recovery Capital” loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration that were included in the $787 billion stimulus package.

The loans, known as ARC loans, are intended to offer short-term relief to viable businesses suffering amid the economic downturn.

Robert Morris, owner of Performance Signs in Ruckersville, told Warner that many banks seem unwilling to issue the loans. So far, he said, only 21 loans have been made in Virginia, whereas other states, such as Minnesota, have made more than 200.

“The challenge is that the money’s going to be gone if we don’t act fast,” Morris said.

Warner promised to convene representatives from banks in Virginia before Sept. 15 to try to work out the problems.

“If Minnesota and Wisconsin are getting more money than us, then I’m … upset,” Warner said, glancing at the TV cameras in the back of the room. “The cameras stopped filming? OK, good. I’m pissed off.”

Scott Watkins of Watkins Landscaping suggested to Warner that the federal government could create savings accounts — much like an IRA — for profits earned by small businesses. These savings accounts, he said, could have some sort of tax incentive to encourage savings that a business could tap into down the road.

“Right now, you have two options if you make money — spend it or send it to Washington,” Watkins said.

Warner said he was “intrigued” by the idea.