Affordable Health Care
NAWBO's Position
NAWBO supports legislation that will make health care insurance more affordable for women business owners and their employees. NAWBO will consider and support, as appropriate, federal and state legislation designed to address the rising cost of health insurance by lowering premiums or creating tax incentives that make the purchase
of health insurance more affordable for small business owners.
Relevant Facts
Access, cost, and quality are all critical issues for women business owners.
- Access: individual and small business insurance markets. While over 70 percent of NAWBO members have employees, about 45 percent have full time employees. This means 55 percent of our members must obtain health insurance in the individual market (or through their spouse’s employer). 35 percent of NAWBO members purchase insurance in the 2-20 insurance market and 10 percent in the 20+ market.
- Access to secure, affordable health insurance is critical to enabling women to start new enterprises.
- NAWBO supports insurance reforms that guarantee access regardless of health status, control pricing differentials between “high” and “low” risk businesses, and allow employers to offer a wide choice of plans. We recognize we are all one breast cancer diagnosis away from uninsurable in many insurance markets.
- Cost and quality. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that from 2000-2006 health insurance premiums outpaced wage growth by five times. The 2007 average annual insurance premium for individual employees is $4,480 and the cost for family coverage is $12,100. (Ca. Healthcare Foundation)
- Medicare is under sever financial strain, which will only increase as Baby Boomers reach 65.
- While we often accept that quality has its price, the media is filled with reports of questionable financial connections between providers/researchers, expensive and ineffective or harmful medications, and preventable medical errors in hospitals. We urge government and provider initiatives to control costs and improve quality.
- We also accept our own responsibility to care for our own health and support wellness programs in our businesses. Business has proven that enhancing wellness works to reduce costs. Coca Cola reported major savings of $500 per year for employees enrolled in their fitness program. Prudential reported a reduction of major medical costs from $574 to $312 for each participant in their wellness program.
Action
- Members have the opportunity to weigh in on health care issues with the Health Care Working Group of NAWBO's Public Policy Forum
- Women business owners can learn more about caring for aging loved ones through SeniorDECISION, a site that features consumer ratings and reviews of senior care and senior housing