The healthcare affordability crisis in the United States is straining employers of every size, but it is hitting small businesses hardest. Employers expect health costs to rise by nearly 10% on average in 2027. For many small firms, the rise is expected to be roughly double, according to survey data cited in a recent commentary.
Because most Americans have employer-sponsored insurance, pressure on employers feeds directly into workers' premiums and benefits. It also affects whether employers offer coverage at all.