Foundation Releases Small Business Health Care Survey

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For Immediate Release

April 24, 2012

Contact: Alice Straight 203-639-0550 ext. 309; 203-443-3415 (cell)

PRESS RELEASE

2012 Small Business Survey

MERIDEN – The high cost of health care is a major obstacle for small business owners in Connecticut, according to the findings of a survey report released today by Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut. 

Titled “Small Business Owners Need Affordable Health Care,” the report explores the concerns and opinions of 401 small business owners regarding health care in the state’s eight counties, including Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield and New London. This year is a high-stakes year in Connecticut for health reform with enormous implications for small businesses and consumers, said foundation officials.

“Connecticut lawmakers are in the midst of making crucial health policy decisions which will have an impact on the small business sector for generations to come,” said Frances G. Padilla, executive vice president of the Foundation.  “There’s a lot at stake, which is why many small business owners will be at the capital with health care care activists tomorrow to let their legislators and the governor know they need affordable health care.”

The foundation conducted the small business survey in late 2011 and early 2012 to better understand the health coverage experiences and concerns of small business owners.  Almost two-thirds (63.7 percent) of the small businesses surveyed said they are unable to purchase health coverage for their employees and an overwhelming majority (78.8 percent) said that health care costs must come down in order for them to offer this benefit to their workers. 

“The survey gave us insights into the anecdotal stories we hear all the time from our small business partners,” Padilla said. “Small business owners are the backbone of our economy that is responsible for 80 percent of the workforce in our state but are hamstrung by high health care costs.”

Other survey findings:

• Most small business owners (84.8) recognize the value of health coverage to their employees
• Small business owners (27.8 percent) believe their inability to provide coverage gives large competitors an unfair advantage in recruiting and retaining workers.
• Over 75 percent of small business owners have a personal health plan and the majority (65.6 percent) with plans carry private insurance.
• To keep their costs down, small businesses (63.6 percent) that do offer health care coverage to their employees increased employee deductibles.

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