Affordable Care Act

For decades, hardworking entrepreneurs have faced skyrocketing health care costs. And that directly stunts their ability to grow. Small business owners want to provide benefits for their employees—we know that from our research. We also know affordability is the most common concern among small business owners who don’t offer coverage. But the Affordable Care Act is changing that. Health insurance exchanges and small business tax credits are giving small firms the kind of clout that large businesses enjoy in the marketplace, making it easier for them to afford health insurance for their employees. 

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling today upholding the Affordable Care Act is a victory for small business owners who have struggled with the excessively high cost of health insurance for decades. The Affordable Care Act tackles small business owners’ top priorities when it comes to healthcare reform: cost and accessibility. The law will significantly rein in costs while providing more health coverage options for entrepreneurs.

States across the country are working to develop Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) exchanges—online marketplaces where small businesses can purchase health insurance. An opinion survey released today provides important new insights into what small businesses in California are looking for from the state exchanges being created under the Affordable Care Act. Topping the list are allowing employees to choose among multiple insurance carriers and more disease prevention and wellness programs. The survey also found interest in the SHOP exchange is high, and awareness among owners of small business tax credits is low.

With the Supreme Court set to announce the fate of the healthcare reform law this month, the news today that 4,400 California small firms with 36,000 employees will get $3.5 million back from one of the nation’s biggest insurers—all thanks to the law—is strong evidence that its provisions are working for small employers. These rebates emphasize how important it is that high court justices uphold the Affordable Care Act so small businesses across the country can continue reaping its benefits.

More than 2.4 million California workers are employed by the more than 375,000 small businesses in the state eligible for $1.8 billion in tax credits in the federal healthcare reform, according to a new report released today. The tax credit helps small businesses pay for health coverage for their employees. A major obstacle to coverage, the report notes, is that many small business owners are unaware of these tax credits because of the noisy—and often misleading—debate over healthcare reform.

More than 19 million U.S. workers are employed by the 3.2 million small businesses eligible for $15 billion in tax credits in the federal healthcare reform, according to a new report released today. The tax credit helps small businesses pay for health coverage for their employees. A major obstacle to coverage, the report notes, is that many small business owners are unaware of these tax credits because of the noisy—and often misleading—debate over healthcare reform.

If you’re a hardworking small business owner who provides health benefits to your employees, there’s a chance your insurance carrier owes you money. And if it does, you can start looking for a check in the mail. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are being held accountable to their customers in a brand new way — which means they’re expected to owe businesses and individuals a whopping $1.3 billion this year, according to a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.