U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) held an Affordable Care Act question-and-answer session today for small businesses at the University of South Florida Small Business Development Center. Attendees learned from experts about the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), a marketplace where employers will be able to choose from a range of affordable plans to offer their employees. With the ability to join a large pool through SHOP, small businesses will now have access to the same types of quality, affordable coverage that only large firms have today. 

In addition, tax credits are already available to small businesses to make providing employee health insurance affordable. More than 222,000 Florida small businesses – or 72 percent of all businesses – are eligible for these tax credits and 91,000 are eligible for the maximum tax credit, according to the Small Business Majority. 

"Many small business owners are unaware of the tax credits and the upcoming online marketplaces where they can shop and compare plans," Rep. Castor said. "While businesses with under 50 employees -- the majority of small businesses -- are not required to provide health insurance, the new Florida SHOP marketplaces will give local businesses the negotiating power they never had to secure affordable health insurance, especially when combined with the tax credit." 

Enrollment in the SHOPs begins Oct. 1 and coverage in the SHOPs begins Jan. 1, 2014. Small business owners in Tampa Bay who were not able to attend today’s session may visit www.castor.house.gov to view the presentation or www.healthcare.gov/small-businesses for more information about the Affordable Care Act. Other important resources include:

http://www.sba.gov/healthcare

http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/policy/healthcare-policy-aca.php

http://www.sbdctampabay.com

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