Scientific Opinion Poll: Small Businesses Support the ACA Over Republican Replacement Plan

For Immediate Release: 
Thursday, March 23, 2017

New poll finds majority of small businesses support the Affordable Care Act; small firms prefer the Affordable Care Act to the Republican alternative, known as the American Health Care Act, by a 2:1 ratio

Washington, DC—A scientific opinion poll released today shows small business owners favor the Affordable Care Act (ACA) over the Republican replacement plan, known as the American Health Care Act (AHCA), by a 2:1 ratio.

The online poll, conducted by Chesapeake Beach Consulting on behalf of Small Business Majority, found roughly half of respondents (49 percent) say they would choose the ACA over the AHCA, while just 25 percent say they would prefer the replacement plan over current law.

What’s more, more than half of small businesses (52%) support the Affordable Care Act. After learning about specific provisions of the ACA, total support grows to 58%.

When asked about the AHCA, legislation that would repeal and replace the ACA, small business support is initially split: 40 percent of respondents support the legislation, with 39 percent opposing it. Once respondents learn more about the AHCA, however, opposition to it grows to 51 percent.

The ACA has made it easier for small business owners like me to offer health coverage” said Ron Nelsen, owner of Pioneer Overhead Door in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a member of Small Business Majority’s Small Business Council. “Thanks to the ACA, I’ve received tax credits just for offering group health coverage to my employees. The AHCA, however, would eliminate that credit and other provisions that make it easier for small businesses, their employees and the self-employed to access coverage. The ACA is working for small business, and it should be improved rather than repealed and replaced.

Survey respondents reviewed numerous provisions of the replacement plan, and results show small businesses oppose key components of the legislation. A majority disapprove of a provision that would remove the individual mandate and allow insurers to impose a 30 percent surcharge on individuals who allow a gap to develop between their existing health plan and a new health plan. And half disapprove of replacing existing healthcare tax credits based on age, income and geography with tax credits based solely on a person’s age and not their income or where they live.

The only specifics of the Republican plan that small businesses do support are provisions already available under the ACA, including provisions that prevent insurance companies for charging more for pre-existing conditions and that allow young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26.

“The ACA is the first meaningful healthcare reform for small businesses in decades,” said Small Business Majority Founder & CEO John Arensmeyer. “Most small employers support the law because it has worked for them and will continue to work for them if Republican lawmakers don’t gut it. Without many of the ACA’s provisions, small businesses will struggle to access health coverage and millions of Americans will be left uninsured.”

The survey reflects a poll of 500 small business owners nationwide. It has a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.

For the full poll report, please visit: http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/our-research/healthcare/small-busin...

Listen to the recording of our tele-press conference here.

About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong economy. We regularly engage our network of 50,000 small business owners, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 150 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers, including access to capital, taxes, healthcare, retirement, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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