Many Small Business Owners Would Use Health Care Exchanges

Fifty-five percent of small business owners surveyed by Pacific Community Ventures said they would be likely to participate in the healthcare exchanges set up by the state. When given basic information about the exchanges, 55% said they would be likely to participate and 32% of those not offering coverage said they would be more likely to offer it because of the exchanges.

Also, 43% of small businesses that don’t offer insurance said they would be more likely to do so after learning about small business healthcare tax credits, according to the survey of 804 California small employers with fewer than 20 workers. However, 48% of small employers in the state are unaware of provisions in the law that will benefit small businesses.

Fifty-seven percent of small businesses don’t know about the small business tax credits they can claim this year to offset healthcare costs and 62% don’t know about health insurance exchanges.
• The survey also includes the following findings:
• 52% of small businesses that offer insurance said they would be more likely to continue providing it because of the small business healthcare tax credits
• 35% of small businesses that offer insurance said the exchange makes them more likely to continue providing coverage
• 30% said the exchange is more attractive if employee choice is included
• 45% identified as Republicans, 26% as Democrats, and 21% as Independents.

For more information on the survey results, visit http://www.pacificcommunityventures.org/insight/businesses