The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has reshaped reproductive healthcare access—and small business owners are feeling the impact. New research from Small Business Majority shows that entrepreneurs overwhelmingly believe access to reproductive healthcare is critical for workforce participation, economic stability and long-term business success. While many business owners report uncertainty or limited direct impact so far, more say the decision has hurt their businesses than helped—affecting profitability, hiring and workforce stability. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, express deep concern, with many warning that abortion restrictions force women to choose between their careers and reproductive freedom. As access continues to narrow in many states, small business owners across the country are increasingly worried about the long-term economic consequences for their employees, their communities and their bottom lines.
On November 13, 2025, Small Business Majority released a research report examining the challenges small businesses face from rising healthcare premiums and increased immigration enforcement. The survey found that two-thirds of small business owners view higher healthcare costs as a significant financial burden and strongly support extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. Entrepreneurs also reported negative effects from immigration enforcement and expressed strong support for modernizing the legal immigration system and creating pathways to citizenship for qualifying undocumented immigrants.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) represents a critical federal investment in U.S. small businesses. Originally established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and reauthorized under the American Rescue Plan in 2021, SSBCI provides states, territories and tribal governments with federal funding to incentivize small business lending. Through a range of programs, SSBCI helps ensure that entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need to launch and sustain their businesses. Our research and interviews with small business owners highlight both the successes and the challenges of the program. Based on these findings, we also developed recommendations to help states maximize SSBCI’s impact and ensure that dollars flow to the smallest and most under-resourced entrepreneurs who need them most.
As Congress and the administration consider 2025 policies, small business owners are raising concerns about rising tariffs, slowing growth, immigration policy impacts, and threats to healthcare from Medicaid cuts and ACA changes. Many are responding by raising prices or pausing expansion. They also oppose increasing the federal deficit to fund tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.
This issue brief, developed in partnership by Small Business Majority and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, examines the prevalence of Medicaid as a source of insurance for small business owners, employees, and their family members using 2024 data from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC).
With key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire this year, Congress must decide how it wants to move forward when it comes to the tax code. This is notable because any potential changes to our tax system would have a profound impact on small businesses.
This Voice of Main Street poll shows entrepreneurs face major capital challenges and oppose the administration’s proposed spending cuts. Notably, 78% are concerned about cuts to the SBA, which provides vital resources small businesses need to succeed.
In January 2024, Colorado launched the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, offering up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers dealing with serious health or family-related needs. While many small business owners support paid leave and value taking care of their employees, they’ve faced hurdles navigating FAMLI.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, reproductive healthcare access has changed dramatically across the country. These changes aren’t just affecting individuals—they’re also impacting small businesses. To develop a deeper understanding of how access to reproductive health services impacts entrepreneurs, Small Business Majority held three focus group discussions in January 2025 with 16 diverse small business owners from across nine states.
Small Business Majority’s February poll shows entrepreneurs are concerned about new tariffs and mass deportations. Over half fear tariffs will hurt their business, and 77% worry about economic impact. Deportation policies also raise concern, with 69% citing potential harm to the U.S. economy and 37% to their own or suppliers’ operations.
