Small Business Health Insurance Struggles for Health Care Reform
August 2009
Of the groups campaigning for some sort of medical coverage reform, the outcry for more affordable
small business health insurance has been a loud one.
After all, small businesses are shouldering a tremendous burden. According to
CNN Money, the premiums that small firms pay for small business health insurance have climbed 113% since 1999, and the percentage of firms with fewer than 10 employees that offer medical coverage to their workers fell to just 49% in 2008, down from 56% in 1999.
More and more those companies that do offer medical coverage are opting for plans with higher deductibles, that cover less, or some combination of them both.
But will the varying bills proposed for medical coverage make small business health insurance easier or more difficult to obtain?
Opponents argue that the new legislation will make it harder for small businesses to pay for coverage. And that those who can't afford it will be punished by expensive fines that they don't deserve.
However, in response Obama's team has relied on the Internet, a new move for any President - at their site
WhiteHouse.gov, they specifically address the topic of small business health insurance and how the current health care legislation would impact the ability to get coverage.
According to the site, tax write-offs and exemptions would make it easier for small businesses to purchase
medical coverage for their employees.
Facts on:
Small Business Health Insurance
Did you know...
Small business health insurance premiums have climbed 113% since 1999?
|
But whether or not their opponents are listening seems to be a different story. Recent "Town Hall Meetings" have been notoriously aggressive and one-sided.
Hopefully for small business owners the President's web site is correct, and small business health insurance will become easier to obtain. Otherwise, such health care legislation could do more harm than good for our struggling economy.
Current Topic:
Recent Topics:
