Survey Reveals Rising Health Care Costs Likely to Drive Further Layoffs

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the battle over health care reform heats up in the U.S. Senate, small businesses say they are concerned or very concerned (77 percent) and will likely need to cut costs to maintain current benefit levels (68 percent), according to a recent survey Manta conducted of more than 490 small businesses nationwide.

With profiles of more than 63 million businesses and organizations, Manta is the Web’s largest source of information on small businesses. In Manta’s Pulse of Small Business user survey, almost half (44 percent) cited escalating costs as the most significant impact of health care reform. When asked how they felt about employers assuming the majority of these costs, nearly half (46 percent) answered that they saw this as unfair.

Of the respondents who indicated that they would need to cut costs, 45 percent said they planned to reduce their number of employees. Other ways small businesses plan to cut costs include cutting back on resources (20 percent) and researching alternative health care plans or providers (35 percent).

“Many small business owners have already cut back on resources, so as health care costs continue to increase, they are being forced to take more drastic measures and impose layoffs,” said Pamela Springer, Manta President and CEO. “While small businesses would love to provide a robust health care plan for their employees, they simply can’t afford it, and these results show that it’s likely there will be more layoffs from small business owners as we head into 2010.”

When asked if in five years companies will be able to offer the same level of benefits to employees as are currently offered, more than half of the small businesses surveyed (58 percent) responded no.

With so many challenges facing small businesses, it’s important to not only find a resource

tailored to them, but a place to communicate with one another and share tips about building a business, making sales, and marketing their companies. As the largest go-to site for small businesses, Manta provides the platform small businesses need to network and find suggestions from noted small business experts and information on solutions for thousands of small business challenges.

About Manta
Manta (www.manta.com) is the largest free source of information on small companies, with profiles of more than 63 million businesses and organizations. Business owners and sales professionals use Manta's vast database and custom search capabilities to quickly find companies, easily connect with prospective customers and promote their own services. Manta.com, founded in 2005, is based in Columbus, Ohio.

Allison & Partners
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Source: Manta