A report released July 25 by the Executive Office of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) says that current drafts of health care reform legislation would benefit small businesses seeking to provide health care for their employees. 

From the report summary:

Small businesses play an important role in the U.S. economy and are a strong driver of job growth and innovation. But small businesses are severely disadvantaged by the current U.S. health care system relative to their larger counterparts. A new report by the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) examines the challenges faced by smaller firms under the current health care system, and the likely impacts of health care reform on small businesses and the workers they employ. Key findings of the report include the following:  

1. Small businesses are crucial to the economy. 
2. The current health care system is not working well for small businesses and their workers.  
3. Health care reform as envisioned in current draft legislation would reduce the current burdens on small firms and their workers.                          

Full report: The Economic Effects of Health Care Reform on Small Businesses and Their Employees (PDF|234KB)

Executive Office of the President Council of Economic Advisors. (2009). The economic effects of health reform on small businesses and their employees.