Small Bizs Battling High Health-Care Costs
What’s the biggest concern for small businesses these days?
According to a national survey released by the National Association for the Self-Employed, it’s access to health care.
“The baker, the house painter, and the 20 million other micro-businesses in the U.S. are struggling to survive in this economy,” says Kristie Darien, executive director of the legislative office of the NASE. “These businesses could be further threatened if we can’t find a way to make insurance more affordable.”
The survey, which polled about 4,000 micro-businesses, showed that high cost stopped small businesses from offering health insurance and thus put them at a disadvantage to larger businesses. Here are some survey highlights:
- About 67 percent of respondents said they have personal health insurance coverage, a notable increase from the 54.9 percent who reported the same in 2005.
- Of the more than 46 percent of responding businesses offering health insurance, only 18.6 percent offer coverage for full-time employees, compared to 46.2 percent in 2005.
- One in 10 respondents spent 25 percent or more of their gross revenue on health insurance, compared to 10.1 percent in 2005.
Photo by William Wright.
B Smith @ Wealth and Wisdom on June 24th, 2008 10:17 am
This is consistent with what I see. We recently wrote an article on HSAs that addresses some of these concerns.
Note: HSAs are not an exciting topic to most people. I’ve tried to make it more interesting while still presenting the info and tools.
cassy on June 26th, 2008 12:55 am
I dont know why health insurance is expensive.It should be affordable so that all of us can avail it.
Lily on October 3rd, 2008 11:55 am
9 dictionary results for: avail
–verb (used with object) 1. to be of use or value to; profit; advantage: All our efforts availed us little in trying to effect a change.
–verb (used without object) 2. to be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help: His strength did not avail against the hostile onslaught.
3. to be of value or profit.
–noun 4. advantage; use; efficacy; effective use in the achievement of a goal or objective: His belated help will be of little or no avail.
5. avails, Archaic. profits or proceeds.
—Idiom6. avail oneself of, to use to one’s advantage: They availed themselves of the opportunity to hear a free concert.
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