Eight million Californians are self-employed or employed by small businesses. Yet these entrepreneurs and their employees make up 71% of the uninsured population in the state. This is because small business owners have been priced out or bullied out of the insurance market by staggering premiums and a lack of negotiating power.
One-third (33%) of employers who don’t offer health insurance said they would be more likely to do so because of the small business tax credits.
31% of respondents —including 40% of businesses with 3-9 employees—who currently offer insurance said the tax credits will make them more likely to continue providing insurance.
One-third (33%) of respondents who currently do not offer insurance said the exchange would make them more likely to do so.
The same is true for those who already offer insurance, with 31% responding that the exchange would make them more likely to do so.
However, most respondents are not familiar with the exchange or the tax credits; only 31% of respondents are familiar with the exchange and 43% are familiar with the tax credits.