Senate Passage of Health Insurance Exchange Bill Good News for Illinois Small Businesses
Statement by John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO of Small Business Majority, on today̢???s Senate vote approving a bill establishing a state-based exchange in 2015
We are pleased the Illinois Senate passed a bill today establishing a state health insurance exchange, which will bring more affordable health insurance to countless Illinois small businesses and their employees.
The high cost of health insurance has made it difficult, if not impossible, for many small business owners in Illinois to offer health insurance to their employees. In fact, Small Business Majority̢???s opinion polling found that of those Illinois small business owners who don't offer coverage, nearly six in 10 say it̢???s because they can̢???t afford it. A state health insurance exchange will help change that. Our polling also found nearly three-quarters of small business owners in the state would use an exchange or at least consider using it, compared to a mere 5 percent who say they would not.
The exchange will be a one-stop shop where Illinois small business owners can find the right health insurance policy for their needs and budget. It will enable them, for the first time, to band together and leverage their buying power, giving them the kind of clout large businesses currently enjoy.
Now that senators have approved the bill, we hope House of Representative members follow in their footsteps and send it to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature.
<p><strong>About Small Business Majority</strong><br />
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million 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, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 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 issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/SBM_Media" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessMajority" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/smlbizmajority/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</p>