I have a policy about mixing political talk and business: don’t. However, when politics begin to affect businesses, that policy has to take a back seat to reporting integrity.
In this case, small businesses are concerned about the healthcare law, and what it will mean for their employees.
As this is a hot button issue, this report will not offer any personal opinions either for or against the healthcare law; I’m reporting the facts about a survey, not the debate.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s small-business survey, 77 percent of the small businesses surveyed feel the Affordable Care Act will make healthcare coverage for their employees more expensive.
Seventy-one percent also believe the law will make it more difficult for them to hire new employees.
As a result, about a third of the small businesses intend to cut back on hours, thus reducing the number of full-time employees, which would help them dodge the employer mandate.
What the small businesses surveyed care about more are energy production, tax reform, immigration reform, and government regulations and restrictions. Around 80 percent of the small businesses want comprehensive tax reform, with a similar percentage claiming that regulations, restrictions and taxes make it more difficult to do business. Slightly over half of those surveyed also feel that the tax code should be simplified.
Of course, over three-quarters feel that the deficit poses a threat to their success, though it’s a safe bet that most feel that way, no matter where they work.
The business owners even felt that immigration reform would affect their businesses, as two thirds feel that immigration reform can help improve the economy, and make the nation more competitive on a global scale.
Regardless of any political leanings, these are the responses that small businesses gave to the survey. By this point, most people have their own feelings about the Affordable Care Act, but this survey makes it clear how the majority of small business owners feel.
Edited by
Braden Becker
