The news is old, but its implication is as pressing as ever: Small-business owners are finding it harder and harder to provide health insurance—and the health of their businesses and employees are suffering as a result. A recent survey released by the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index confirms what employers already know: The current health-care system is broken and in need of a partial, if not complete, overhaul.
The survey found that 55 percent of small-business owners do not offer any health insurance to their employees—and they cite cost as the No. 1 reason. Employers said that they would be more likely to offer such benefits if the federal government provided some financial incentives for coverage. What's more, a third of the small-business owners said they were cutting back on non-capital investments so they could provide health care for employees.
Small-business owners want to take care of their employees. And, according to the survey, they also know that adequate coverage attracts the most qualified workers and boosts employee loyalty. Now if someone could just tell that to lawmakers! Fortunately, someone is. Go here to learn how NFIB is fighting to make health-care more accessible and affordable for small-business owners. Want to know what you can do? Be on the lookout for a new regular health-care column in our upcoming Oct./Nov. issue to learn more.
