Healthcare relief for small businesses is possible with shared responsibility reform model

Yesterday a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House expressed concern about the possibility of healthcare reform placing too much of a financial burden on small businesses.

Small Business Majority could not agree more. As a leading national, nonpartisan organization advocating for healthcare reform on behalf of small businesses and the self-employed, we hear every day about the crushing cost of health insurance. These stories are backed up by our opinion surveys nationally and in more than 15 states 72% of small business owners say they are struggling to afford healthcare coverage. Certainly reform should not make this situation worse. Indeed, it can make it better.

Last week we released a report based on research by MIT economist, Jonathan Gruber, showing that, without reform, small businesses will see their health insurance increase by $2.4 trillion over the next 10 years, costing jobs, profits and wages. But, as the report shows, comprehensive reform that includes an employer contribution, with appropriate levels of tax credits, sliding scales and exclusions, will give small businesses the relief they need, potentially saving them as much as $855 billion over the next 10 years, reducing lost wages by up to $339 billion and preserving as many as 128,000 jobs. For more information on the report: www.smallbusinessmajority.org/econ_research.php

Small business needs reform to make insurance less expensive, fairer and more affordable. Our scientific opinion research shows that 64% of small business owners across the country support the concept of shared responsibility, and that most small business owners are willing to contribute toward a comprehensive solution that allows us to reduce costs and waste in the system while providing access to affordable, fair insurance for everyone.

There is a way to fashion comprehensive reform so that it provides the economic relief business needs without adding new burdens. Let's work to craft the language that's a win-win for small business, allowing this vital part of our economy to thrive and lead us into better economic times.