SMALL BUSINESSES: Health Care For Employees is No. 1 Priority
Affordable health care for employees is the top concern for small business owners nationwide, according to American Express Small Business Services. Conducted by TNS Intersearch as part of American Express' "Voices from Main Street" program, the survey asked more than 1,000 small business owners -- those who employee fewer than 100 workers -- about their most pressing concerns. Affordable health care for their employees was rated "very important" by 78% of respondents, followed by 75% who said concern about their own health care was equally important. Among those small businesses polled, 53% offer health insurance to their employees. Of those that do not offer coverage, 86% cited cost as the main deterrent. Other important concerns for small business owners included tax cuts or tax reform (69%), improving work-force skills (65%), reducing government regulations (63%) and social security reform (54%). The survey has a 3.5% margin of error (Norman, Orange County Register, 8/14).
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