On the beat...

Jon Wafer is the owner of Tru' Images Barbershop, located at one of Albany's busiest intersections--- he says the current health care system is not serving small businesses effectively. PS - Tru' Images gives great cuts! Stop by and say hi to Jon!

One of my assignments last week (so glad to get back to work) involved Small Business United for Health Care. The group released a new report on New York small business owners’ experiences with health insurance and views on reform. The report, entitled, The Pulse of Main Street New York, is based on a survey of over 200 small business owners from across the state. You can listen to my radio story here.

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.

Mouseover and click on the image to download the complete report!

From their website: "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."