What it means: Affordable health care is essential for the success of America’s small businesses. Small business owner Marcie Strouse shared with lawmakers the various ways Congress can provide relief from rising costs.

Our take: “Small businesses are paying more and getting less. Small firms pay nearly twice as much for health insurance as large businesses. Unlike large corporations, small businesses lack the bargaining power to negotiate lower premiums,” said Josselin Castillo, NFIB Principal Federal Government Relations.

Take Action: It is time for Congress to provide immediate relief for millions of Americans. Urge your elected officials to make health care more accessible and affordable to small business owners.

Affordable health care remains a top concern for small business owners. NFIB member Marcie Strouse testified before Congress andNFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations, Josselin Castillo, published an editorial in The Center Square on the cost of providing health insurance and ways Congress can provide relief.

Marcie, Iowa Small Business Owner, testified before Congress with solutions for small businesses to offer competitive and affordable health insurance.

“For nearly 40 years, the number one concern for small business owners has been the rising cost of health insurance. Today, it’s not just a concern; it’s a crisis. Ninety-eight percent of small business owners fear they will be unable to afford coverage in the next few years,” explained Marcie.

Castillooutlined how the cost of health insurance is unsustainable for small business owners and suggested ways that Congress can deliver relief in a recent op-ed.

“Policymakers have an opportunity to deliver relief for small businesses and alleviate the burden small business owners face when it comes to health insurance costs. The first step is protecting employer-sponsored coverage and dramatically increasing affordable and flexible coverage options,” said Castillo.

Learn more about the challenges of the small-group insurance market and what Congress can do to alleviate these pressures from small business owners.