The Newest Item on LA Menus Is a Health Care Surcharge

Some of the loudest complaints about the Affordable Care Act come from small businesses, which insist they can’t afford the cost of mandatory health insurance for their employees. Some restaurants are converting full-time jobs to part time. But when Republique opened last year near LA’s Miracle Mile, the owner had a different idea. Customers were stuck with a 3% surcharge. Now it’s catching on in a big way. Caroline Styne is co-owner and wine director of Luques, AOC, Tavern and the Larder.