ACA Implementation Raises Questions for Small Businesses

We know that many of NBCH's members are thinking about strategies to recruit smaller employers to their coalitions, and we are thinking about ways to expand our policy reach to be relevant to our members who are engaging in this recruitment.  This Richmond Times-Dispatch article clearly describes the decisions facing smaller employers as implementation of the Affordable Care Act moves forward.  These decisions rely on a variety of factors, including whether a state implements its own health insurance exchange or relies on the federal fallback exchange, and whether a state participates in the Medicaid expansion.  Smaller employers, as opposed to larger employers, are more keenly aware of the implications of rising health care costs and the costs to comply with the various ACA mandates.  In short, there are a lot of "moving parts," and smaller employers may be thinking about whether innovative strategies, such as private exchanges, may make sense for them.

Look for more policy guidance from NBCH regarding smaller employers in the near future.  We know they are an important part of your coalition strategies moving forward, so they are an important part of our strategy as well.