Michigan Business Owners Prioritize Health Care Costs in Midterm Elections
A recent survey highlights a significant concern among Michigan’s small business community: the escalating cost of health care. As the midterm elections approach, business owners are urging policymakers to prioritize this issue.
The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) conducted the survey and found that 66% of small business owners believe controlling health care expenses should be the top focus for newly elected officials. Brian Calley, the association’s president, emphasized the financial strain these rising costs place on businesses. He stated, “Despite year-over-year increases of thousands of dollars in premiums per employee, policymakers have not made any progress toward solutions.”
The survey revealed that a staggering 84% of respondents experienced an increase in employee health care premiums by up to $2,000 per employee over the past year. This financial burden is pushing health care affordability to the forefront of business concerns, surpassing other issues such as taxes and workforce availability, which ranked second and third, respectively.
Of the business owners surveyed, 81% operate companies with 50 or fewer employees, reflecting the challenges faced by smaller enterprises. The SBAM conducted the survey in August and September 2026, capturing the pressing issues on the minds of Michigan’s business leaders.
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