Small Business Health Care Survey Results

Small business and health care is a hotly debated topic these days. If you’re a small business owner I’m sure you are keeping a close eye on the health care bills making their way through congress right now. I haven’t touched on it much here, but I want to share some of the results of a health care survey with you.

Today I have a sampling of a health care survey from TriNet, the survey covers more than 200 businesses from across the country, small businesses are weighing in on their opinion of health care reform. The survey found that small business owners worry health care reform will bring increased costs and complications that may divert their focus from growth and revenue.

Here is a sample of the TriNet survey results:

• Nearly 63 percent of the respondents said their health care costs rose between 6 percent and 20 percent in the last year.
• Nine out of 10 small business owners say it is important that health care reform offer choices in plans but many worry that change will bring increased costs (71 percent) and unnecessary complexity (56 percent).
• Among those respondents who think the costs of health care will increase with reform, 44 percent indicated they might reduce the level of benefits coverage to offset the added costs. The next largest group of respondents said they would look to reduce employee salaries and wages (21 percent) or staff levels (20 percent) to cover additional expenses.
• When asked who should pay for health care insurance for employees of small businesses, 56 percent said it should be split between employers and employees, while 30 percent believe the government should also share the burden with employers and employees. If the government were to play a role in providing assistance to small businesses, 44 percent would like to receive tax credits for their business while 30 percent would prefer subsidies for a portion of the costs.
• Only 3 percent consider the government as a source of information they would turn toward for guidance regarding the reform.

If you’re looking for more information check out the full report on the small business survey on health care reform.
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