In New York, Small Business Majority has become a critical player in healthcare policy circles. Our mission has been embraced by a wide range of partner organizations. We've focused our efforts in two areas: presenting Small Business Majority's nonpartisan, scientific research to groups around the state, and working with partners to implement legislation intended to provide high-quality, cost-effective health insurance to New York businesses under the Family Health Plus buy-in plan that was signed by the governor in 2008.
New York Health Benefit Exchange
A report from the United Hospital Fund examines the design options New York policymakers face when deciding how to move forward on the state's health insurance exchange. The Affordable Care Act grants states broad latitude in establishing an exchange, starting with the option to allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to run the state's exchange. However, this would mean surrendering the state's ability to determine for itself many pertinent regulatory issues, such as the role the exchange plays in markets; oversight of the exchange, both inside and out; coordination of the exchange with Medicaid; and consumer protections unique to New York. If New York establishes it own exchange, policymakers must choose from three core options: a multi-state exchange in partnership with other states, a statewide exchange, or subsidiary, regional exchanges. This paper examines those options and more, and recommends future actions around the exchange.
 Building the Infrastructure for a New York Health Benefit Exchange: Key Decisions for State Policymakers |
January 4, 2011 - United Hospital Fund |
Healthcare tax credit study
Small businesses are the backbone of New York's economy. Across the state, there are nearly 350,000 businesses that employ 25 workers or fewer. They’re your local diner, the hardware store down the street and your neighborhood mechanic. While small businesses have been serving us, our health care system has been failing them, making it difficult—if not impossible—to provide their workers with quality, affordable health coverage. Under the new healthcare reform law, businesses with fewer than 25 employees and average wages of less than $50,000 will be eligible to receive a tax credit for the health insurance they provide their employees. In July 2010, Small Business Majority and Families USA commissioned a study that found that nearly 82% of New York small businesses will be eligible to receive a tax credit in 2010.
A HELPING HAND FOR NEW YORK'S SMALL BUSINESSES:
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 Full report |
 Press release |
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Economic research
On November 5, 2009, Small Business Majority rolled out an extensive study of the impact of various types of healthcare reform on New York small businesses. The study analyzes and evaluates the impact of a market-driven plan, a single-payer plan and two versions of a Massachusetts-style plan on the New York economy. We are meeting with various chambers of commerce and locally elected officials around the state to discuss the results of its research, and make the case for reform.
With Health Care for All New York and the New York chapter of National Federation of Independent Businesses, Small Business Majority is working with the Department of Health to expand the Family Health Plus program—a low-cost, high-quality insurance product that leverages New York State's purchasing power to provide affordable health insurance to the small group market. The Department of Health recently set prices for the product that were far too high, and, along with our partners, we are advocating that Family Health Plus be priced at a more reasonable level to provide a real alternative to the high-priced products available on the commercial market.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HEALTHCARE REFORM ON NEW YORK'S SMALL BUSINESSES (NOVEMBER 2009) |
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Executive summary:NEW YORK STUDY |
Full report: NEW YORK STUDY |
Press release:NEW YORK STUDY |
THE HEALTH CARE PULSE OF NEW YORK SMALL BUSINESSES (JUNE 2008) |
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One-page summary
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Full report
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Questionnaire
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