National Federation of Independent Business Launches Aggressive Campaign to Drive Healthcare Reform: Solutions ...(ons as large businesses and corporations...),Health

For comprehensive healthcare reform to become a reality, the unique needs of small business must be fully addressed. This is especially clear based on the results from a national survey conducted by NFIB, which measured the voting strength of small business and showed that healthcare is their most significant issue.

-- 43 percent of voters polled were part of the small business community, a significantly greater percentage than union members (11.9 percent), and trendy segments, such as soccer moms (5 percent) and NASCAR dads (2 percent)

-- 53 percent of small business voters, defined as owners and their employees, agree that healthcare is the "most important factor" in determining their vote

-- Nearly 81 percent of small business owners say that finding affordable healthcare for themselves and their employees is a challenge, with 16 percent saying it is their greatest challenge

-- 71 percent of small business voters believe that healthcare should be a top priority for the next president

The Solutions Start Here campaign will drive home our message at the federal, state and grassroots level with activities including:

-- Hosting Fix-it Forums in seven cities across the country to listen to and learn from the real-life healthcare stories and struggles of small business owners and employees;

-- Communicating with presidential candidates to ensure they fully consider small business as a significant voting bloc with a vested interest in healthcare reform;

-- Inviting NFIB members, presidential candidates and legislators to sign a petition that reinforces the need to drive down healthcare costs while maintaining quality and choice. The petition will be submitted to the 111th Congress and the incoming Administration;

-- Moderating a series of healthcare reform forums that bring health p
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