Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Affordable Care Act Will Help Stabilize Small Businesses and our Economy

We are relieved by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) because the ACA is absolutely critical to the success of our small business community and our economy.   

As we noted previously in an amicus brief filed in this case, the ACA has provided quality, affordable health coverage to numerous small businesses, entrepreneurs and small business employees that once struggled to access health insurance. In fact, more than 5.7 million small business employees or self-employed workers are enrolled in the ACA marketplaces, and more than half of all ACA marketplace enrollees nationwide are small business owners, self-employed individuals or small business employees.

Upholding the ACA in full was critical because it has done more than any other single measure to address the two biggest issues facing small business healthcare: access and affordability. Since the law makes it much easier for the self-employed to obtain their own coverage, many more aspiring entrepreneurs have escaped “job lock” and been able to go out on their own to start new ventures. And the growth in small business healthcare costs has slowed dramatically since 2010, following regular double-digit increases prior to the law’s enactment. What’s more, the law has enabled most states to expand their Medicaid programs, allowing low-income small business employees and entrepreneurs to obtain health coverage.

After more than a decade of nearly endless challenges to the ACA, we hope that this decision will finally put to rest once and for all any question about the landmark law’s constitutionality. We also hope it will give peace of mind to small businesses that had wondered if they would have their health coverage ripped away from them. Had even a portion of the ACA been struck down, it would have caused a rapid rise in healthcare costs, and created additional uncertainty at a time when America’s entrepreneurs are already struggling to survive.

With debate about the ACA now settled as far as the courts are concerned, we hope that Congress focuses on strengthening the law and creating even more opportunities for small business owners to access quality coverage at an affordable price.