During the policy formation process of the ACA, small business advocacy organizations, associations, and small business owners felt excluded from the process. The result of which was not only a deep-seated skepticism of the law, but legitimate concerns that the law did not do enough to address their needs. The energy and uncertainty surrounding the future of the law is an opportunity for small business stakeholders to make their voices heard and gain a long-awaited seat at the table as a way forward. 

On February 7th, the House Small Business Committee led a hearing to do just that, calling upon health policy experts, the National Small Business Association (NSBA), The National Association for the Self Employed (NASE), and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The conclusions from the hearing clearly stated what small businesses want from the new administration: affordability, flexibility, and predictability of health care and coverage. 

For brokers, emphasizing affordability, flexibility, and predictability in conversations with clients is an opportunity to address the needs of small business owners that are otherwise not addressed by the administration.