July 2020 | Joel C. Cantor, Margaret Koller | Opinion: We Must Rescue Health Insurance for Small Businesses and Their Workers
New Jersey has successfully “flattened the curve” in the growth of coronavirus cases, but the prospect of a second wave can’t be ignored, and cautious consumers may not return to dining out or shopping locally anytime soon.
Small employers are at the cross-currents of pandemic-driven forces. Many small businesses rely on face-to-face interactions, and few have deep pockets to weather shutdowns and stalled demand. The revenue freefall that businesses have experienced over the last five months makes sustaining payments for health insurance coverage challenging if not impossible. Yet, at a time when we are all vulnerable to a dangerous virus with no vaccine and limited treatment options, the idea of going without health coverage can be terrifying.