Female Business Owners Value Health Benefits, Survey Says
Nearly three-quarters of female business owners in California consider health coverage to be "the most important benefit employers can provide their workers," according to a new survey from the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and WellPoint Health Networks. The survey of 300 female business owners also found that 77% offered health coverage to their employees, in contrast with the 48% of California businesses overall that do so. Although 70% of survey participants said they thought that health care costs are likely to rise "considerably," 64% said they would take "significant action" to continue offering coverage to their workers, "even if costs became prohibitive." Only 25% said they would "drop all health benefits" for their employees. Noting that female business owners employ one-quarter of California's workers, NAWBO-LA President Betsy Berkheimer-Credaire said, "This commitment [to offering health insurance] has a tremendous impact on the well-being of the state" (Gregory, Los Angeles Times, 3/9). To view the survey, go to http://www.nawbola.org/wellpointsurvey.html.
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