Many New York Small Businesses May Crave an Exchange

New York's small business owners are ready to embrace health insurance exchanges as a way to provide insurance to their employees, and may even provide a boon to struggling small business owners, according to a recent survey.

The survey, commissioned by a New York-based commercial health insurance exchange called HealthPass New York and done by Hudson TG, showed that 84% of about 300 respondents described the federally mandated health insurance exchanges as a good idea…that is, after a reading about the proposed New York State small business exchange. More than three-quarters said they would consider using a health insurance exchange when enrolling their employees in a health benefits program.

Also, 76% of the respondents believe the climate for small businesses in New York State is on the wrong track and only 27% report their own businesses are doing well. As such, the exchanges are perceived by many to provide some kind of relief for business and employees.