I. INTRODUCTION
While larger firms and corporations may handle rising health insurance premiums, small businesses seem to be crushed under the weight of rising health costs for their employees. [1] The inability to obtain affordable, quality health coverage falls more on the shoulders of individuals and small businesses, which may be the primary reason President Obama and Congress have focused their health care reform proposals on benefits for individuals and small businesses. Statistics indicate nearly 46 million Americans have no health insurance coverage at all while nearly 25 million are underinsured. [2] Also, in 2007 total cost for health care reached $2.4 trillion in the U.S. or the equivalent of $7,900 per person, and the U.S. spends 52% more than Norway, which follows the US as the next most costly nation in regard to health care spending per person. [3] This article provides an overview of the main goals of President Obama and Congress’ proposed health care reforms as it relates to small businesses. Small businesses with less than 20 employees made up 18% of private sector jobs in 2006 and accounted for 25% of employment growth for the period of 1992 to 2005. [4] Furthermore, this article provides analysis on the pros and cons of health care reform in relation to small businesses based on three aspects of the reform. The first is the public option government run health care plan, second is the Exchange a government-regulated marketplace of insurance plans, and finally, tax credits for small businesses to offset the cost of buying health insurance for their employees. [More]