REPORT: NEW YORK SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SUPPORT CHOICE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

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REPORT: NEW YORK SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SUPPORT CHOICE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

Survey shows New York small business owners want a quality public health insurance option, are willing to contribute to a system of shared responsibility

Albany – New York small business owners want real health reform, are willing to contribute, and want the option of a public health insurance plan. These are the surprising findings of the report The Pulse of Main Street New Yorkt: Small Businesses, Health Insurance, and Views on Reform released Thursday in Albany by New York Small Business United for Health Care.

The report documents small business owners’ experiences with private health insurance and perspectives on different reform proposals. Key survey results for New York challenge the conventional wisdom in three arenas:

• New York small business owners preferred a proposal with a public alternative to private coverage over a proposal with expanded private market option by a margin of more than 4 to 1 (73 percent to 19 percent, with 8 percent undecided).

• New York small business owners indicated they are willing to pitch in to make health care work. Of small employers surveyed, 64 percent indicated they would pay 4-7 percent of payroll or more to guarantee quality, affordable coverage for themselves and employees.

• New York small business owners indicated a strong preference for more public oversight of the insurance industry (by a margin of 5 to 1, 80 percent to 15 percent), and broad support for a stronger government role in guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health coverage (by a margin of 6 to 1, 78 percent to 13 percent).

“We need to address the power of the insurance companies” said Jon Wafer owner of Tru’ Images Barbershop in Albany. “Our current health care system is not serving small businesses effectively.” As bill language from the Senate Finance Committee is expected to be released today, including support for a public health insurance plan, small business support is critical to advancing health care reform in 2009.

The report, based on a survey of 202 small businesses across New York – in New York City, Long Island, Albany, Binghamton and Buffalo – contains profiles of impacted business owners from across the state.

“Small businesses are on the low end of the totem pole. The deals helping out the major corporations are not helping the little guy, the small business owner,” said Jon Wafer. “Small businesses are what hold our economy together. We need an affordable health care option that covers a wide variety of afflictions. This will help small businesses and our economy.”

Small Business United for Health Care is committed to ensuring that as the public debate over health reform ramps up in 2009, members of New York’s Congressional Delegation know that small businesses in New York want real health reform, are willing to contribute to the solution, and are looking to government to play a proactive role with creation of a quality public insurance option.

The Pulse of Main Street New Yorkt: Small Businesses, Health Insurance, and Views on Reform is available online for download at http://mainstreetalliance.org/newyork/ .

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