AUSTIN, TX (July 29, 2026) – At a roundtable event with small business owners, Governor Greg Abbott’s revealed a plan to expand access to affordable health insurance. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Texas’ leading small business advocacy organization, issued a statement calling the move an “excellent first step” for Main Street employers and their employees.

“Allowing Main Street employers to access health insurance plans that are exempt from state-mandated coverage requirements will give more Texans access to affordable health insurance,” NFIB State Director Jeff Burdett said. “This is an excellent first step in addressing the rising cost of health insurance in our state. Health insurance costs have been the number one concern for small business owners for nearly 40 years. In fact, a recent survey of our members here in Texas found that their concerns about the cost or availability of insurance are a bigger challenge than in the rest of the country. I want to thank Governor Abbott for standing up for Main Street Texans.”

Several NFIB small business owner members attended the roundtable. Photos of the event are below.

Background:

The Governor’s plan comes after a new NFIB report found that insurance affordability and availability concerns are five points worse in Texas than across the country. CLICK HERE to view the full report.

In March 2025, NFIB released a health care policy paper, Addressing the Health Insurance Affordability Crisis for Small Businesses, which outlines the dire prognosis for the small-group insurance market as employer-provided health coverage is becoming unsustainable for millions of small businesses and their employees.

Last month, Burdett testified before the Texas House Committee on Insurance’s interim hearing on cost drivers affecting small business owners’ access to affordable health insurance. During the 2025 Legislative Session, NFIB Texas backed several reforms to help lower the cost of health insurance for small business owners. The Governor’s action builds upon those efforts.