You would think Small Business would be all for Single Payer.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

I've been a small business owner. Twice. It's harder than you can imagine to provide affordable healthcare on smaller revenues. Small groups also get totally nailed if they have a catastrophic health event within their group. A lot of small business owners join organizations like the Chamber of Commerce strictly for access to have the ability to become part of a larger group.

If I had had the opportunity to have myself and my employees covered by single payer health when I had my businesses, I would have JUMPED at the chance. No amount of taxes could have possibly been levied that would have totalled my outlay, I could have ONLY come out ahead. Those dollars could have provided improvements, more jobs, equipment, etc.

So where is the small business voice in all this?

[bluethruandthru]

1. Unfortunately, Single Payer has not been widely

discussed in the main stream media....and with our own Democratic representatives not even allowing it "on the table" in healthcare discussions, it's no wonder it's so unknown...or misunderstood.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. I know, I should have more correctly said "would have been" for Single Payer

I just know that many small businesses don't offer healthcare now period and I just wonder why that sector hasn't been a more prominent factor in the discussions, seeing the large percentage of the American population they employ.

I do think that most small business groups I have been exposed to seem to be overrun with more Republican types - I guess they all bought into the mantra that Republicans were "pro-business'.

There should be a Progressive Small Business Alliance if there isn't already such a thing.

[Laelth]

2. Small business has very little influence over government, as you know.

Of course small businesses would love single-payer. So would big businesses, for that matter. But the insurance companies, the hospital companies, big pharma, and the AMA are calling the shots on this legislation. Small businesses can't provide enough campaign cash to get heard.

:dem:

-Laelth

[kestrel91316]

4. I'm ALL FOR single payer, believe me. I cannot afford health insurance

for myself, let alone my tiny staff (with only one F/T person). If I am REQUIRED to insure my staff and myself, it's GAME OVER.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

6. The last I heard, if your payroll is smaller than 500K you would not be forced

to provide coverage. I guess you and your employees would be allowed into a public option, assuming there is one, or go to the "exchange" or the "coop".

[kestrel91316]

12. Well, THAT'S a relief. Yeah, payroll's "slightly" under $500k. ROFLMAO.

[Iterate]

5. Once upon a time I faced the same issue,

on both sides of the fence actually. I haven't hear anything of an informed small business voice.

It's hard to see a gradualist approach to single payer, though we all know that's where it must end up eventually. It would take decades, would be a constant fight to preserve or extend, and would deny us the immediate benefits.

Still though, if you go from public option>mandatory employer and SE coverage(which would help level the playing field)>employer statement of benefit>de-couple the employer value from the employment>then finally to single payer with possible private insurance enhancement(for private rooms, pay-for-fee, etc.).

It's hard to imagine an employer who wouldn't want to rid of the headache and have healthier, more secure employees. I'm not being naive though -there are plenty of employers who thrive by having dependent, anxious, unhealthy employees.

[Greyhound]

7. I think they are. We are inundated to the point of exclusivity with manufactured

debate and proposals, the theater of politics. Almost everything we see, read, and hear is controlled. We believe we are alone or part of a very small minority. In the end, almost all we think we know is wrong, the decision has already been made and they will give us what they want or nothing and our wishes are irrelevant.

George Orwell didn't intend to write an instruction manual, but we've allowed it to happen.

[Sgent]

8. Depends on the business

a lot of small businesses don't provide healthcare at all.

[blondeatlast]

9. Wouldn't single=payer make them more competitive with larger biz?

They could hire more experienced/educated/qualified staff, for instance.

[dugaresa]

10. i work for a large company which is listed on the Fortune 500 which is about to drop healthcare

at least traditional healthcare and they are going to have all of us sign up for HSA's and high deductible insurance accounts.

My boss fears that once the economy gets better people will run from our company as a result of this stupid decision.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

11. And he will be proved correct. nt

[LaPera]

13. It would indeed help small business immensely- But they too are being conned by the republican lies

Republicans care only about wealth, corporations & racism...They couldn't care less about small businesses, but they'll scream that they do, just as they scream they care about the middle Class, the poor, workers and Social Security...the republicans don't give a shit about any of them except to steal taxes and gut the programs for the people!

We want Health Care for ALL with a Public Option! (Minimum).