Early Online Access to Health Insurance Marketplaces for Small Businesses in Five States Launched, Encouraging News for Small Business Owners
Statement by David Chase, Small Business Majority̢???s Healthcare Policy Director, on the Department of Health and Human Services allowing five states early access to the online portion of the small business insurance marketplaces
The Department of Health and Human Services̢??? decision to provide five states early access to the online portion of the small business health insurance marketplaces is encouraging. This will allow small business owners in those states to provide critical feedback on ways to improve the system, prior to the national online roll out on November 15.
This measured trial-run will allow small businesses in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Delaware and Ohio with fewer than 50 employees to explore the online portal and determine eligibility for high quality health coverage online. It will be imperative that the Administration listen to all the initial feedback, to ensure that the online marketplaces operate as smoothly as possible when it is made available for all states where the federal government is running the small business marketplaces. This feedback will go a long way in helping prevent the glitches we saw with the launch of the individual marketplace website last year.
The Administration̢???s decision last year to delay the small business marketplace̢???s online portal was a serious setback for entrepreneurs seeking to take full advantage of the Affordable Care Act. The marketplaces are one of the most important components of the healthcare law for small businesses, and having access to it online is imperative if they̢???re to be robust and successful.
It̢???s encouraging to see the Administration making progress with the online portal and opening it up early in five states. We hope this trial run ensures the marketplaces run smoothly when the online portion opens for business in November.
<p><strong>About Small Business Majority</strong><br />
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/SBM_Media" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessMajority" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/smlbizmajority/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</p>