Have You Ever Gone Without Health Insurance? (Feb 2009)

Topics that Are Important to Small-Business Owners

Here’s a snapshot of how micro-business owners feel about the hot topics of the day.

Have You Ever Gone Without Health Insurance? (Feb 2009)

Respondents: 242

Currently, 46 million Americans have no health insurance, with 60 percent of uninsured Americans representing owners, employees or dependents of those working in small business. With the economy continuing to decline, micro-business owners like you are making tough choices about how to keep their business afloat. Some are dropping health coverage due to the added cost burden. Please take this short member survey to assist us on determining how this impacts you and your business.

1. Do you currently have health insurance?

74%	Yes
25%	No
01%	Do Not Know

2. If no, what is the chief reason you do not have health coverage? (Choose only one)

29%	Cost/affordability
01%	A lack of quality health insurance plans or providers in my area
01%	Too difficult to deal with the paperwork and administrative burden of health insurance
02%	Do not know where to find health insurance coverage
00%	Do not think I need coverage at this time
08%	Other
58%	No opinion

3. Have you been uninsured at any point in time?

71%	Yes
27%	No
02%	Do Not Know

4. What best describes the chief reason you were uninsured? (Choose only ONE)

18%	Unemployed/Between jobs
44%	Unable to afford health insurance premiums
05%	Illness/ Health problem that prohibited you from obtaining coverage
00%	Spouse or family member health coverage did not cover dependents
02%	Did not know how to get health coverage
04%	Did not think I needed coverage at the time
03%	Other
24%	No opinion

5. Which of the following below would MOST encourage you to purchase health insurance? (Choose only ONE)

02%	Our nation’s economy improved
08%	My business revenue significantly increased
41%	Insurance premium costs decreased and became more affordable
02%	Insurance plans became less of an administrative burden
06%	I could receive government subsidy such as a tax credit to assist with the majority of my insurance costs
04%	I had more health coverage options in my state or nationally through a government-sponsored health plan
11%	I could obtain insurance regardless of my health status (no more underwriting)
26%	No opinion

6. Which of the following below would LEAST encourage you to purchase health insurance? (Choose only ONE)

17%	Our nation’s economy improved
03%	My business revenue significantly increased
02%	Insurance premium costs decreased and became more affordable
09%	Insurance plans became less of an administrative burden
05%	I could receive government subsidy such as a tax credit to assist with at least half (50%) of my insurance premium costs
11%	I had more health coverage options in my state or nationally through a government-sponsored health plan
07%	I could obtain insurance regardless of my health status (no more underwriting)
46%	No opinion

NASE Survey Results

Topics that Are Important to Small-Business Owners

Have You Ever Gone Without Health Insurance? (Feb 2009)

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