Poll: Majority of Small Business Owners ‘Very Concerned’ About the Cost of Health Care in 2018

Roosevelt Opinion Research recently surveyed 500 small business owners at the behest of the Job Creators Network, and found that the cost of health care is a significant concern going into 2018.

When asked: “What is the biggest threat your business faces in 2018?” 16.2% replied “health care mandates.” While that ranks far below “finding qualified workers” (27.3%) and “other” (22.1%), 16.2% (approximately one sixth) is a significant number.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees must offer affordable health insurance for those employees and their dependents, or face a fine.

When asked: “Is the cost of health care a concern to you in 2018?” 55.9% said that they are “very concerned,” and 20.6% said they are “somewhat concerned.” A combined 20.2% said they are either “somewhat unconcerned” or “very unconcerned.” . . .

In early January, the Trump administration’s Department of Labor announced a proposal that would let a larger number of small businesses and sole proprietors than is currently allowed to band together and form associations. These groups could then use their collective power to negotiate lower health insurance costs. (Read more from “Poll: Majority of Small Business Owners ‘Very Concerned’ About the Cost of Health Care in 2018” HERE)

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