Chamber Releases Q2 Small Business Survey

Chamber Releases Q2 Small Business Survey

Last week, the U.S. Chamber released the findings from the Q2 Small Business Outlook Survey. Health care is now the top concern among the small business community. In fact, it topped economic uncertainty for the first time in 2 years.

You can read the full results and press release here. https://www.uschamber.com/press/releases/2013/july/us-chamber-releases-q2-small-business-survey

We're working closely with our state and local partners and state and local chambers to highlight those policies that are stalling growth, as well as advocate for policies that encourage expansion. Small business owners overwhelmingly voiced support for issues that will remove barriers, with 88% supporting action to address entitlement spending, and 81% responding that the immigration system is broken and needs to be reformed.

However, it's clear that health care continues to be the biggest hurdle for small businesses.

As part of that effort, we've compiled quotes from the Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 to highlight the issue in local communities.

"The cost of health care has long been a top concern for Pennsylvania employers. And related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pennsylvania Chamber members have voiced concerns from the start that the employer mandate is yet another added cost of doing business that serves as a disincentive to hiring at a time when the economy has not fully recovered."
- Gene Barr, President & CEO, PA Chamber of Business and Industry

"Business owners and decision makers in Billings provide exceptional health insurance for their employees out of sense of responsibility and a need to provide a competitive benefits package. Mandates and associated penalties are forcing business to reevaluate what they can afford to offer while maintaining current employment levels. This law has the potential to be one of the federal governments largest jobs killers in recent times."
- John Brewer, President & CEO, Billings Chamber of Commerce/CVB (MT)

"Since the day the ACA was passed, Ohio employers have been telling us it would be costly, burdensome to implement, and a job-killer. Uncertainty and confusion about the rules and how to comply persists, and employers are reluctant to fill positions and hire new employees. And, not surprisingly, we're now seeing evidence that premiums are going up. Employers are the ones footing the bill for health care reform, which appears to be stifling critical job growth in Ohio."
- Andrew E. Doehrel, President & CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce

"The State of Michigan is doing its best to implement the federal health care law. However, it's becoming more apparent every day that the 'unAffordable Care Act' is a slow-motion financial and regulatory train wreck for employees and employers."
- Rich Studley, President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce

"The most common concern about the health care law is the uncertainty it causes. Employers want to retain and attract quality employees and their ability to do so is becoming more and more difficult. Very few companies have discussed any type of significant growth in the workplace, and the unemployment rate has remained flat from the same period last year. Small businesses with over 50 employees are still in a holding pattern with a wait and see attitude. The employer mandate being delayed a year provided a brief sigh of relief, however, their lack of confidence in the federal administration appears to growing."
- Kelly Hall, President & CEO, The Longview Chamber of Commerce (TX)

We will continue to keep you updated on this issue, as well as the impact of policies that provide job creators with the certainty and incentive they need to hire.


Health Care Newsletter
Calendar Events August Chamber Luncheon 08/06/2013 Communicating Innovation with Bill Graham 08/15/2013 Saratoga Springs Business Alliance 08/22/2013 Early Risers Networking Breakfast 08/23/2013	Chamber Releases Q2 Small Business Survey Chamber Releases Q2 Small Business Survey Last week, the U.S. Chamber released the findings from the Q2 Small Business Outlook Survey. Health care is now the top concern among the small business community. In fact, it topped economic uncertainty for the first time in 2 years. You can read the full results and press release here. https://www.uschamber.com/press/releases/2013/july/us-chamber-releases-q2-small-business-survey We're working closely with our state and local partners and state and local chambers to highlight those policies that are stalling growth, as well as advocate for policies that encourage expansion. Small business owners overwhelmingly voiced support for issues that will remove barriers, with 88% supporting action to address entitlement spending, and 81% responding that the immigration system is broken and needs to be reformed. However, it's clear that health care continues to be the biggest hurdle for small businesses. As part of that effort, we've compiled quotes from the Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 to highlight the issue in local communities. "The cost of health care has long been a top concern for Pennsylvania employers. And related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pennsylvania Chamber members have voiced concerns from the start that the employer mandate is yet another added cost of doing business that serves as a disincentive to hiring at a time when the economy has not fully recovered." - Gene Barr, President & CEO, PA Chamber of Business and Industry "Business owners and decision makers in Billings provide exceptional health insurance for their employees out of sense of responsibility and a need to provide a competitive benefits package. Mandates and associated penalties are forcing business to reevaluate what they can afford to offer while maintaining current employment levels. This law has the potential to be one of the federal governments largest jobs killers in recent times." - John Brewer, President & CEO, Billings Chamber of Commerce/CVB (MT) "Since the day the ACA was passed, Ohio employers have been telling us it would be costly, burdensome to implement, and a job-killer. Uncertainty and confusion about the rules and how to comply persists, and employers are reluctant to fill positions and hire new employees. And, not surprisingly, we're now seeing evidence that premiums are going up. Employers are the ones footing the bill for health care reform, which appears to be stifling critical job growth in Ohio." - Andrew E. Doehrel, President & CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce "The State of Michigan is doing its best to implement the federal health care law. However, it's becoming more apparent every day that the 'unAffordable Care Act' is a slow-motion financial and regulatory train wreck for employees and employers." - Rich Studley, President & CEO, Michigan Chamber of Commerce "The most common concern about the health care law is the uncertainty it causes. Employers want to retain and attract quality employees and their ability to do so is becoming more and more difficult. Very few companies have discussed any type of significant growth in the workplace, and the unemployment rate has remained flat from the same period last year. Small businesses with over 50 employees are still in a holding pattern with a wait and see attitude. The employer mandate being delayed a year provided a brief sigh of relief, however, their lack of confidence in the federal administration appears to growing." - Kelly Hall, President & CEO, The Longview Chamber of Commerce (TX) We will continue to keep you updated on this issue, as well as the impact of policies that provide job creators with the certainty and incentive they need to hire.
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Chamber Releases Q2 Small Business Survey