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Business is willing to pay for public health care |
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According to the media, one of the more contentious aspects of Obama’s health care plan is how much if any businesses who don’t provide health care to their employees would be required to pay to help support a public insurance program.
According to a new report released today from the Main Street Alliance, 73% of small business owners said they’re happy to chip in. 63% said they would be willing to contribute as much as 4-7% of their total payroll costs.
Though the conventional wisdom says businesses, especially small businesses, are against the kind of health care reform proposed by President-elect Obama and Health Care for America Now, clearly, that’s not the case. Some other findings from this report:
- 59% of small business owners support a reform plan with a choice of public or private options
- 75% say there should be more oversight of private insurers
- 70% see a strong role for government in guaranteeing health care for all
These findings really shouldn’t be surprising. The majority of Americans receive health insurance through their employer, and most employers at least partially subsidize this insurance. Businesses, especially small businesses, are being crushed by skyrocketing costs, especially at a time when they’re being squeezed from the other end with falling revenues and profits due to the worsening economy.
As I covered months ago, big business leaders are getting on board for health care reform. now it seems small businesses, the engines of our economy, are on board as well.
Health care is economic stimulus. If we can relieve the strain on businesses by providing quality, affordable health care to everyone at lower cost, we’ll be well on our way towards getting our economy back on track.
(also posted at the NOW! blog)
