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Zogby Survey Shows Most Small Business Employees Oppose Enzi Health Insurance Reform Legislation

Concern Expressed About Fairness of Older Workers Paying More for Health Insurance

SB Informer
Monday, May 8, 2006; 09:16 AM

WASHINGTON - A Zogby survey released today showed that more than two-thirds of small business employees are opposed to the passage of S.1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act sponsored by Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY). The survey also revealed small business employees are extremely wary of health insurance reform legislation that would supersede state regulations.

The Enzi legislation would allow insurance companies and small businesses to vary health insurance premiums for individuals and small businesses by pre- empting state laws. These existing state laws, which vary from state to state, include requirements for certain basic benefits, consumer protections, and in some states, community rating for small groups. Community rating prohibits health insurers from charging employers different premiums based on their type of industry or the age, health status and gender-mix of their employees.

Of those surveyed, there was widespread concern across all age groups about insurance premiums increasing for older employees. Eighty percent did not believe that older employees should pay higher insurance premiums than younger employees.

"One of the most interesting findings of the survey was that even younger employees, ages 18-34, greatly oppose -- 82 percent -- charging older workers higher premiums," said John Zogby, whose firm conducted the survey.

Other survey findings include:

* 70% say that the cost of health care should be spread evenly across employees, regardless of their age, occupation or medical history.

* 71% do not feel that health insurance companies should be allowed to charge higher premiums to small businesses that have a high percentage of employees with existing health problems.

* By a 2-to-1 margin (61% verses 28%), small business employees do not think that Congress should pass a law that would allow health insurance companies and small businesses to avoid state regulations that protect health care consumers.

"There is something inherently wrong with health insurance reforms that would allow health insurance companies to discriminate against older workers," said Jane Loewenson of the National Partnership for Women and Families. "The survey results show that even today's young and healthy workers understand that they are the older workers of tomorrow and they believe in health insurance equity for all age groups."

The nationwide survey was commissioned by The Coalition to Protect Access to Affordable Health Insurance, which includes a group of not for profit health plan providers who are committed to protecting the rights of health care for consumers.

The survey was conducted by telephone over a five-day period extending from April 20-24, 2006. A total of 401 small business employees (i.e., individuals who work for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, or are self- employed) were interviewed during this period. The sample size provided a margin of error of + or - 5 percent in estimating actual percentages in the small business employee population.

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