Small businesses contribute a lot for the economy in America. There were about 4.8 billion businesses employing 25 or fewer workers in 2009. Recession brought many bad effects on small business industries. According to the Illinois Main Street Alliance report, coverage for workers was decreased in 2008 and 2009 in about 12% of 500 small businesses surveyed. Around 35 percent of the companies switched to insurance which provided only few services.
Companies having less than 25 workers had wages which are less than $50,000 a year. As they have higher premium costs they achieved benefits from the tax credit. The benefits under health overhaul law were also not expected. According to a report from consumer groups, Families, USA and Small Business Majority, health coverage was offered to only 46 percent of employers having three to nine workers. About 72% of small businesses having 10 to 24 employees offered with the health coverage for workers. More than 95 percent of companies of 50 or more workers offered coverage to their employees.
The tax credit help small businesses, which tend to lack the purchasing power of larger employers, maintain coverage by pooling risk. According to the federal government website HealthCare.gov., payment for the same insurance policy by small businesses was found to be 18% higher than that paid by larger firms. The tax credit was provided for companies on the cusp of dropping coverage for their workers.