The United States is poised to reform its health care system. Millions of people across the country go without necessary health care or fall into economic distress because they do not have health coverage that meets their needs. Increasingly, the public has come to recognize that major change is needed to ensure access to health care for everyone living in the United States.

This report focuses on the perspectives of small business owners, including small employers and self-employed entrepreneurs. Compared to large employers, small businesses and the self-employed are at a particular disadvantage in the private health insurance market. They have limited means for purchasing insurance and limited bargaining power. As a result, they more frequently go without buying insurance and receive less coverage in the plans they are able to buy, placing them and their employees at risk.

The data and stories presented in this report were gathered through a survey of nearly 1,200 small business owners in twelve states, as well as through in-depth interviews with business owners about their experiences in the private health insurance system. The results indicate that small businesspeople:

• Are concerned deeply about the adequacy of insurance, including the breadth and affordability of services covered by their plans;
• Believe government should provide a public alternative to private coverage;
• Want increased oversight of private insurers; and
• Are willing to contribute their fair share toward a system that makes health care work for small businesses, their employees, and the communities they serve.

In sum, small business owners are willing to contribute to make the health care system work if they believe the system design makes sense, if financial responsibility is shared broadly and fairly, and if dollars are channeled toward providing needed care instead of third-party profits.
Taking

Download Small Businesses, Health Insurance, and Priorities for Reform

PDF format, 7.5MB, 40Pages.

The Main Street Alliance
mainstreetalliance.org

Small Business Health Insurance

Small business employees are much less likely to have access to employer-sponsored health coverage than the employees of larger firms. 

Founded in 2008, the Main Street Alliance is a network of state small business coalitions building a new voice for small businesses on  health care.  Alliance partners share a vision of health care that works for small business owners, our employees, and our economy.

The Alliance creates opportunities for small business owners to speak for themselves about health care and how to fix it. Our growing network includes small business coalitions in 11 states. Learn more about our state partners by clicking on the links in the right sidebar.

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