9September 2009
Small business owners, like the rest of the country are divided about the proposed health care reform. Most small business owners are fed up with the high cost of health insurance offered by insurance companies, but aren’t sure that the current proposals are the answer. Small business owners pay about 18% more for health insurance that larger companies and what they are offered for their premiums aren’t very good.
It’s estimated that one third of uninsured Americans work for small businesses that have less than 100 employees. When it comes to businesses with fewer than 10 employees, less than half offer health insurance. There is wide spread concern that a government plan would require business owners to pay more than they can afford.
Some small business alliances are in favor of a government backed plan, the larger National Federation of Independent Business owners are apposed because they fear it would cause many businesses to fail. The NFIB would prefer that small business owners form larger groups that could negotiate lower rates.
What is certain at this point is that nothing is certain about what the final plan will look like. It is important for all small business owner to be informed and write to their representative.