National: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
On behalf of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Public Opinion Strategies and Lake Research Partners conducted a telephone survey of 400 owners, CEOs and presidents of businesses with between 2 and 50 employees. The national survey was done in June and July 2008.The results, announced in December, echo those of our own research. A few key findings:

• More than one in three small businesses (36%) say that they’re likely to cut some portion of employee health benefits due to rising costs.
• 78% would support a reform solution that combines government-sponsored purchasing pools with tax credits.
• 53% would support an approach requiring that at least one public and one private plan be offered to all employees, and that coverage is guaranteed regardless of age or pre-existing conditions.

Read a one-page summary of the research (PDF)
Download the full report (PDF)

National: Taking the Pulse of Main Street
The Main Street Alliance and the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations co-sponsored a survey of 1,199 small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs in twelve states: Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington. Key findings of the report include:

• 54% report having to switch to insurance coverage with higher out-of pocket costs, 35% switched to a plan that covered fewer services, and 12 dropped coverage entirely, all due to rising costs.
• When asked to choose between two specific reform proposals—one that includes a public insurance option vs expanded private market options—59% selected the proposal with the public option.
• 70% believe government should play a strong role in guaranteeing access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.

Download the full report (PDF)