05/21/2007
Foremost healthcare issue for small business owners is cost
CONTACT: Stephanie Cathcart, 202-314-2056, or Melissa Sharp, 202-314-2068
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's leading small business advocacy group, in a briefing today released its Small Business Healthcare Survey, the most recent, comprehensive small business healthcare data available. The survey of small business owners identified cost as the single most important problem facing the health system today.
"Once again small business owners overwhelmingly voiced the need for Congress to address ever-rising health insurance costs," said William Dennis, senior research fellow, NFIB Research Foundation. "A difference in top priorities appears between Congress and America's small business owners. One is primarily interested in coverage and the other cost. If lawmakers can help reduce costs, small businesses can help increase coverage in the long-run.”
The new survey, which polled NFIB members, is the latest healthcare research measuring the awareness, attitudes and beliefs of the small business community. Small business owners responding to the survey indicated they believe the price mechanism could work to reduce healthcare costs. Seventy percent of NFIB members believe that making consumers more aware of healthcare and health insurance costs will encourage them to become better healthcare consumers.
Additionally, small business owners indicated they are wary of modifying the tax structure significantly even if it may ultimately work to their benefit. However, respondents do favor equalizing the tax structure for those obtaining health insurance, regardless of its source.
Additional highlights from the survey include:
- 79 percent of NFIB members believe the overall quality of healthcare available to MOST Americans to be "excellent" or "pretty good"
- 95 percent believe that everyone who benefits from financial assistance for healthcare should be required to pay some portion of their healthcare or insurance
- 57 percent indicate a preference for individuals above a reasonable income level to be required to have health insurance or be able to prove financial responsibility
- 71 percent think all healthcare providers who expect reimbursement from insurers should be required to have computerized records
"Lawmakers now have a real opportunity to act. This issue cannot be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach -- what works for big business will not work for small and independent businesses," said Todd Stottlemyer, NFIB president and CEO. "As our country continues to thrive on the jobs created by our entrepreneurs, it is time Congress takes action to address this mounting problem that will, inevitably, diminish this growth if it continues to go unaddressed."
Download the executive summary and complete survey results below.
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NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.
