Small business sees reasons to support Senate health care plan

Obamacare has been burdensome for small business. Now, the Senate has a chance to do something about it.

Year after year, when the National Federation of Independent Business surveys its members, they say their number one priority is health care, but the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, has made things more difficult for them. Its onerous taxes and mandates have increased costs and reduced choices.

Repealing Obamacare shouldn’t be a partisan issue. The lawhas failed in its central promise, which is to make health care affordable. Premiums for small businesses have skyrocketed. The lawforced the cancelation of insurance policies for millions of Americans whowere happy with their plans. Insurance companies have abandoned the exchange marketplaces, leaving Americans in many parts of the country with one option or no options at all.

Even former President Bill Clinton called Obamacare “the craziest thing in theworld.” He said, “The people who are getting killed in this deal are small business people and individuals who make just a little too much to get any of these subsidies.”

That’swhy NFIB is calling on Sens. BillNelson andMarco Rubio to vote “yes” on the Senate plan, the Better Care Reconciliation Act.

Small business has long supported repealing and replacing Obamacare. NFIB opposed the health care bill when it passed, andwe challenged its constitutionality before the Supreme Court in NFIB v. Sebelius.

Not only does the lawharm small businesses, but it also harms their employees. According to the federal government’s own research, small businesses’ health insurance costs increased and benefit flexibility decreased under Obamacare, resulting in 25 percent fewer small businesses offering health insurance within five years of the law’s enactment.

The Senate bill provides significant tax relief by eliminating or delaying 11 of the most burdensome Obamacare taxes, which are crushing small businesses and driving up costs. It also eliminates the punishing mandate penalties that discourage job creation, expansion, and investment.

This is a crucial moment for our senators. We hope they remember that small business employs most of the state’s private-sector workforce. It’s the backbone of our economy. Obamacare has been problematic fromthe start, but most importantly, it’s hurt small businesses and their employees, and has created an enormous impediment to growth and new jobs. We urge our senators to take this opportunity and enact change that will help small businesses.

BillHerrle is executive director of theNational Federation of Independent Business, Florida’s leading small business association.