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Media Contact:
Janel Knight Trulear
janel@emccommunications.com
(617) 875-6581

Small Business Survey: North Carolina Owners Say Hospital Consolidations Contribute to High Healthcare Costs for Main Street

The North Carolina results of a national survey of more than 1,000 small business owners show that Tar Heel State entrepreneurs believe the increasing pace of hospital consolidations is exacerbating the already high cost of healthcare and want action

Raleigh, North Carolina, March 21, 2023—The North Carolina responses in a new national Small Business for America’s Future survey of 1,015 small business owners show that Main Street entrepreneurs in the Tar Heel State believe the increasing pace of hospital consolidations is exacerbating the high costs of healthcare and the vast majority support regulating consolidation and creating price controls.

“North Carolina small business owners are eager for solutions to soaring costs so they and their employees can access affordable, quality healthcare,” said Jim Duffett, Director of Small Business for America’s Future North Carolina. “Better than most, small business owners understand that competition leads to better prices and innovation. While they are no doubt pleased with plans to expand Medicaid in the state, they would also welcome building on that momentum to find solutions to address hospital consolidation and the high prices it engenders.”

Nearly 60% of North Carolina survey respondents said they have seen hospital consolidation in their communities and say this leads to less choice, longer wait times, and fewer services—in addition to driving up healthcare costs overall.

• 77% of North Carolina small business owners responding to the survey say that the consolidation of hospitals in their areas have made the overall availability and quality of healthcare services in their communities worse
  
• 67% say the availability and cost of health insurance has been negatively impacted by hospital consolidation
• 53% of small business owners say that hospital consolidation leads to a lack of competition making hospital services more expensive for employees and eating into their pay.
• 86% say it's important that federal and state governments intervene in the consolidation of health systems
• 94% say that hospitals are unfairly charging high prices leading to high healthcare costs and it's time for price regulation

“Small business owners are being priced out of the ability to offer health insurance to their employees, and hospital consolidation is part of the reason why,” Duffett said. “The cost of healthcare is holding back their ability to invest in the growth and financial health of their businesses.” 

Small business owners across the country have long said high healthcare costs are their top policy priority. The national survey reaffirms that the expense is stifling the growth of America’s small businesses: 

• 45% of small business owners nationally said the rising price of health insurance has led them to delay growth opportunities for their businesses
• 41% said they have increased the cost of goods and services
• More than a third have said they have become less competitive in hiring compared to other companies that provide health benefits

What North Carolina small business owners are saying about the high cost of healthcare and hospital consolidation:

“I am heartened to hear that legislators have reached a deal on expanding Medicaid in North Carolina. However, the efforts to lower healthcare costs should not stop there. Small business owners like myself are being crushed by rising healthcare costs, and we need our elected leaders to take action on issues like hospital consolidation, which drive up costs.”

Brenda Campbell

Superlative Academy Childcare

Charlotte, North Carolina

“Our health system is in need of change so more people can get care. One way is for policymakers to examine hospital consolidation that drives up healthcare prices. I am a strong believer in choice. I want to be able to research doctors and costs at different hospital systems. Many in North Carolina don’t have that option. All too often, hospital systems are able to set the price of care high because they know they are the only option.”

Jeanelle Terry

Faithful Homes LLC

Charlotte, North Carolina

“Expensive hospital services caused by hospital consolidation are eating into my employees' paychecks. Hospital consolidation is negatively impacting the availability and cost of health insurance for many North Carolina business owners. We need action.”

Krish Parlikad

V Guard Insurance Agency Inc

Whitsett NC 

“Healthcare costs are becoming more exorbitant due to hospital consolidation. As a small business owner, I understand the value of competition, and a great way to address healthcare costs is by regulating hospital consolidation. Main Street deserves affordable access to healthcare.”

CJ Scarlet

CJ Scarlet LLC

Clayton, NC

“North Carolinians deserve quality healthcare at reasonable prices. High costs are causing small business owners like myself and our clients to raise prices, halt business growth, and even cut into employee paychecks. I urge our leaders to support policies that foster affordable healthcare for all.”

Alicia Parr

Performentor LLC

Durham, NC 



View the full survey report here. 

To schedule an interview with a representative from Small Business for America’s Future contact: Janel Knight Trulear at janel@emccommunications.com or (617) 875-6581.

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF.