NJ Main Street Alliance

New Jersey Small Businesses Need a Health Care System that Works for All of Us!

About Us	Petition	Join	Actions!
Updates	Facts	Media	Contact

MAJOR EVENT! September 14 — Financial Reform Summit (SEE BELOW).

Victory!!!

On March 23, 2010 President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The bill will give healthcare to 32 million Americans and save over 30,000 lives per year. For full details on the bill, click here.

Small businesses have much to gain from health reform. The final health reform package makes small businesses big winners by ending discrimination, promoting affordability, expanding choice and containing costs. Find out 5 things every small business should know about health care reform here.

Thank you to all of the members of the NJ Main Street Alliance for helping to win this historic victory!

About Us

The NJ Main Street Alliance is a coalition of over 500 small business owners, self-employed entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations all working towards a comprehensive solution to the state's — and nation's — health care woes. Since its inception in August 2008, this coalition has been committed to a health care system based on The 4 C's:

1. Affordable Costs.
   It's not right that small businesses pay more for less in health care. We need affordable, predictable costs we can plan and budget for.
2. Guaranteed Coverage.
   Everyone should have good health coverage, whether you run a small business or a Fortune 500 company. You shouldn't have to give up your health care to start a new business or change jobs.
3. Shared Commitment.
   We can make health care work if everyone pitches in. As small business owners, we're willing to contribute, but we can't go it alone. It's got to be a commitment shared with government and employees.
4. Real Choices.
   Everyone should have a choice between private and public health insurance plans. If you like what you've got, you should have the choice to keep it. For small businesses that don't have real choices now, offer the choice of a public health insurance plan. This would give us leverage, encourage competition among insurers to drive down costs, and provide a guaranteed backup. (More About the NJ Main Street Alliance).

UPDATE — February 24, 2010: In anticipation of the White House Health Care Summit, the Executive Committee of the National Main Street Alliance has prepared an open letter (click here) to highlight the health reform priorities that are vital to the success of America's small businesses.

TAKE ACTION! Small Business Petition to Investigate Public Service Electric and Gas

Dear Governor Christie and Attorney General Dow:

As a small business owner, I am deeply concerned that there is evidence suggesting Public Service Electric and Gas has not been charging its affiliated company, PSEG Power, for the Societal Benefits Charge (SBC) for at least the last 8 years. It is estimated that PSEG could owe ratepayers as much as $300 million from this potentially illegally obtained subsidy!

Small businesses are the backbone of New Jersey's economy and we are already struggling to afford utility rates that are more than 40% above the national average. When PSEG Power fails to pay their fair share of these rates, the costs are passed on to consumers and businesses like mine. I have always paid my fair share of this legally non-bypassable charge, and so should one of New Jersey's largest and most profitable companies, PSEG Power.

I urge you to investigate this matter further and stand up for all of the individuals and businesses that make up PSEG's 1.7 million customers.

Petition to Investigate PSEG

Your Name
Business Name
Business Address
City, State
Zip Code
Phone
Email
Fax
Number of Employees

For more information contact Stefanie Rubin, Small Business Organizer, at 973-643-8800 or stefanie@njcitizenaction.org.

If you prefer to sign the Petition using fax or postal mail, click here to DOWNLOAD OUR PETITION. Then either fax the completed Petition to Stefanie Rubin at 973-643-8100; or attach it to an email to stefanie@njcitizenaction.org with 'PSEG Petition' in the subject line. We will add your name to the petition: Thank you!

September 14 — Financial Reform Summit

Financial Reform Summit
Making it Work for New Jersey:
A Statewide Education and Implementation Summit

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 —
10am to 3:30pm

Rutgers University Student Center
126 College Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Map and Directions

Please RSVP by Friday, September 10, 2010

This program is held in partnership with Rutgers University Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations

History has been made! — This summer, President Obama signed one of the most significant pieces of financial regulatory legislation passed since the Great Depression. These reforms will bring transparency and accountability to Wall Street and protect consumers on Main Street. Let's ensure that this historic law is implemented effectively and that all New Jerseyans are informed as programs are established and new rules and guidelines are set.

With compromises being made by all sides, it is now time to roll up our sleeves and make this law work for New Jersey. The success (or failure) of financial reform will depend on how well we understand, publicize and implement the law and the opportunities it presents. It is vitally important that all sectors of the population who will be touched by this legislation continue to work together in a strong partnership as this new law becomes a reality.

Please join stakeholders of financial reform — including consumer advocates, community leaders, elected officials, bankers, regulators, labor leaders, seniors, academics, students and members of the public — gathering to discuss what's in the law, what's not in the law and where we go from here

Speakers will outline the major provisions of the new law, the policy options, and the impact on consumers, investors and small business owners. State and national reform experts will also discuss the establishment of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and how it will expand consumer safeguards. Additionally, panelists will explore the effect of the new law on the flow of capital back into our communities and the impact it will have on asset building opportunities. See this event's complete At-A-Glance Agenda (click here).

Please RSVP by Friday, September 10, 2010

Admission is free. Seating is limited. Please RSVP online (click here) to reserve your space; or RSVP by phone at 732-246-4772 Ext. 18. Please include your name, organization or business, title, phone, email, and address including city, state, and zip code.

Distribute the Flyer (click here) and spread the word!

NEW! If you would like to be a sponsor of the Financial Reform Summit, please download this Form in PDF (click here), and see the details in the final section. Thank you!

Survey for Small Business Owners

Please take 10 minutes to share your views on health, energy, and finance reform. This survey will allow us to recognize the issues that are important to you and continue strengthening the small business voice. This survey is intended for small business owners, including small employers and self-employed small business owners. Make sure your voice is heard — complete this survey today!

Click here to TAKE THE SURVEY — Thank you!

Join the NJ Main Street Alliance Now

JOIN! Make Sure Your Voice is Heard!

Business Owners / Main Street Alliance Join Form

Owner Name
Business Name
Business Type
Number of Employees
Email
Phone
Cell Phone
Fax
Address
City, State
Zip
Date
I'm willing to:	Share a quote/story Make a phone call Write a letter to the editor Talk to a reporter

For more information contact Stefanie Rubin, Small Business Organizer, at 973-643-8800 or stefanie@njcitizenaction.org.

 

This Holiday Season What We Really Need is... HEALTH REFORM!

On December 18, 2009, Health Care supporters from New Jersey and New York joined together, at the Exchange Place Pier in Jersey City, NJ, to show that we're all in this together!

New Jersey and New York Members of Congress were invited, and there was holiday music, and a chance for everyone to share their holiday health reform wish. See the Photo Gallery.

Actions!

Small Business Petition to Congress for Real Choice in Health Care

Members of Congress: Small businesses need health reform to do our part for economic recovery. We're willing to contribute to make health care work, but we can't go it alone. We need real choices. Small businesses should have a choice between private and public health insurance plans. Let us decide what works for us: keeping what we've got, or opting for something new, a public health insurance plan. This will give us greater bargaining power, encourage competition among insurers to make costs affordable, and provide a guarantee of quality coverage we can count on. The time for action is now...

Download and complete the Small Business Health Care Principles & Petition to Congress for Real Choice in Health Care. — or just the Petition to Congress — and email it to Crystal Snedden, Small Business Organizer, at crystals@njcitizenaction.org.

Updates

• On June 15, 2009, Main Street Alliance member Jacquie Germany (photo above left, at podium) spoke at the press conference for Senator Robert Menendez (photo bottom right). Read Senator Menendez's Press Statement.
  
  
• On April 29, 2009, Kelly Conklin, a Main Street Alliance member from Bloomfield, NJ testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on the need for national health care reform and the creation of a public health insurance option. Resources:
  MEDIA RELEASES: "NJ Small Business Owner Takes Health Care Message to Washington" and the earlier Press Advisory.
  PRESS COVERAGE: "Small Business Owners Deliver Mixed Messages To Capitol Hill" (Kaiser Health News – July 9, 2009), "Small Businesses Will Rally For Lower Health Care Costs" (NJBIZ – June 15, 2009), "Health Insurers Balk At Some Changes" (The New York Times – June 3, 2009), "New Jersey Woodworker Crafts Health Care Reform Proposal For Congress" (Insurance & Financial Advisor – May 1, 2009).
  AUDIO: Hear Mr. Conklin interviewed on WHYY News and WBAI News Radio.
  VIDEO: Kelly Conklin testifies to the House Ways & Means Committee and on MSNBC. Video Clips of the Q&A from Kelly’s Testimony at the Ways & Means Committee Hearing on April 29, 2009:
  • Kelly Q & A Part 1  —  Kelly Q & A Part 2  — 
  • Kelly Q & A Part 3  —  Kelly Q & A Part 4  — 
  • Kelly Q & A Part 5  —  Kelly Q & A Part 6.
    
    
• On April 24, 2009 Dr. Melba Bonelli, a member of the NJ Main Street Alliance, was invited to attend a meeting in DC with Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the White House Office of Health Reform. Dr. Bonelli was chosen from thousands of small business owners from across the country to be part of this important meeting on national reform. Read the Press Release. VIDEO: Dr. Melba Bonnelli speaks about the need for health care reform at the White House roundtable.
  
  Needless to say, the NJ Main Street Alliance is thrilled to be playing such a critical role in the national health care debate! We expect more opportunities like these to arise in the coming months, so stay tuned!
  

• VIDEO: NJMSA Message to Congressman John Adler (D – 3rd Congressional District), on April 17, 2009, about small business owners' struggle to find quality, affordable health care.

Facts

Links

• About the NJ Main Street Alliance (directly below — full text also available as 84K PDF).
  
• Small Business Health Care Principles & Petition to Congress for Real Choice in Health Care (Principles, Sign-on & Petition in one PDF)
• Small Business Health Care Sign-on (Sign-on Only)
• Petition to Congress for Real Health Care Change (Petition Only)
  
• National Main Street Alliance Website.

Our National Survey Report "Taking the Pulse of Main Street"

On January 15, 2009, at the Trenton Statehouse, the NJ Main Street Alliance released its national survey report, "Taking the Pulse of Main Street: Small Businesses, Health Insurance, and Priorities for Reform".

This report was conducted on nearly 1,200 small business owners and self-employed individuals in 12 states throughout the country. It focuses on small business owners' perspective on health care — their current health care experiences and preferred methods of reform.

For more information please contact: Crystal Snedden, Small Business Organizer, crystals@njcitizenaction.org or 973-643-8800 Ext. 31.

What Can Small Business Owners Do to Fix the Current Broken System?

Small business owners are the experts on the broken health care system. No one knows as well as small business owners do how badly our health care system is broken. Small businesses are routinely left vulnerable to the premium hikes, benefit cuts, coverage denials and administrative nightmares that are commonplace in the health care system today.

The voices of New Jersey's small business owners need to be heard. No small business owner acting alone can surmount these challenges. But together, we can make a difference. It will take hard work and commitment, but together we can do our part. That is the promise of a united voice of small business owners across New Jersey coming together to fix the broken health care system.

Why Care About Small Businesses and Health Care?

Small businesses are the heart of New Jersey's economy and the heart of our communities.

• New Jersey businesses with fewer than 100 employees employed 1.3 million workers in 2005. This constituted 37 percent of New Jersey's private sector jobs in 2005, above the national average. (U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, based on data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau)
• Over the past decade, small businesses have created 60–80 percent of net new jobs nationwide. (U.S. SBA website, citing U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, app1.sba.gov/faqs/faqIndexAll.cfm?areaid=24)
• Percent of New Jersey Businesses Offering Health Insurance in 2005: Less than 50 workers: 62.3% / 50 or more workers: 94.4%. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Center for Financing, Access and Cost Trends. 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey- Insurance Component)

New Jersey small businesses are struggling to get affordable health insurance — and losing the battle.

• From 2000 to 2007, the percentage of businesses with fewer than 200 employees offering health benefits dropped from 68 to 59 percent nationwide; businesses with fewer than 50 workers dropped the most. (Kaiser/HRET Employer Health Benefits 2007 Survey, Ex 2.2, www.kff.org/insurance/7672/sections/ehbs07-2-2.cfm)
  
• By 2005, just over three out of five New Jersey businesses with fewer than 50 workers offered health insurance, compared to nearly 19 out of 20 businesses with 50 or more workers.
• Insurance premiums for small businesses have increased at a faster rate than those of large businesses, and the quality of coverage they receive is lower. (Jon R. Gabel and Jeremy D. Pickreign, "Risky Business: When Mom and Pop Buy Health Insurance for Their Employees," Health Research and Educational Trust, April 2004, p. 2)

About the NJ Main Street Alliance

The NJ Main Street Alliance is a coalition of nearly 300 small business owners, self-employed entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations who are working towards a comprehensive solution to the state — and the nation's — health care woes. Since its inception in August 2008, this coalition has been committed to ensuring that small business owners have a voice in the policy debate over health care reform. Through personal stories, surveys and reports — the NJ Main Street Alliance is dedicated to educating the public and New Jersey's elected officials about the need for a renewed health care system that works for our employees, our families, and our communities.

It is clear that the current health care system is not working for our state's small businesses. Many of our members are struggling to find quality affordable health care for their employees and themselves. They are forced into impossible choices with no real solutions. Whatever the business, the experiences are the same: exorbitant costs, unpredictable rate increases, coverage denials, and administrative nightmares.

The NJ Main Street Alliance is working to change this broken health care system for the better — organizing our efforts around the following principles of The 4 C's:

1. Affordable Costs.
   It's not right that small businesses pay more for less in health care. We need affordable, predictable costs we can plan and budget for.
2. Guaranteed Coverage.
   Everyone should have good health coverage, whether you run a small business or a Fortune 500 company. You shouldn't have to give up your health care to start a new business or change jobs.
3. Shared Commitment.
   We can make health care work if everyone pitches in. As small business owners, we're willing to contribute, but we can't go it alone. It's got to be a commitment shared with government and employees.
4. Real Choices.
   Everyone should have a choice between private and public health insurance plans. If you like what you've got, you should have the choice to keep it. For small businesses that don't have real choices now, offer the choice of a public health insurance plan. This would give us some leverage, encourage competition among insurers to drive down costs, and provide a guaranteed backup.

NJ Main Street Alliance members are willing to pay their fair share to make the health care system work, but it must be affordable and provide quality coverage. We are supportive of a public health insurance plan, a plan that is transparent, creates competition among private insurers, and makes health care accessible to everyone. In accordance with these principles, the NJ Main Street Alliance will work to amplify small business voices to effect meaningful change in health care.

The NJ Main Street Alliance received start up funding from the national Main Street Alliance, a national non— profit network supporting small business health care coalitions in close to a dozen states around the country. As a statewide and national coalition, we are committed to ensuring that members of NJ's Congressional Delegation honor the concerns of small businesses when making decisions about health care reform in 2009.

(PDF of About the NJ Main Street Alliance — same text as directly above).

Media

• "Congressman Rush Holt Touts Proposed Consumer-Credit Safeguards During South River Visit" (Home News Tribune / MyCentralJersey.com — July 12, 2010)
• "Rep. Holt Touts Benefits Of Health Reform Act" (The Princeton Packet / PacketOnline — May 20, 2010)
• "Congressional Documents And Publications: Rep. Holt Small Business Press Conference" (InsuranceNewsNet.com — May 19, 2010)
• "Holt Highlights How Health Reform Strengthens Employer Based Health Care During Visit To NJ Business" (ICEPN News — May 17, 2010)
• "Small N.J. Employers Call Hikes 'Excessive'" (The Record / NorthJersey.com — March 5, 2010)
• "Anger Won't Fix It" (The Huffington Post — January 18, 2010)
• "Financial Reforms Needed" (Burlington County Times — January 5, 2010)
• "Entrepreneurs At Risk" (Star-Ledger — December 5, 2009)
• "How Small Business Fares Under House Health Bill" (Washington Business Journal — November 6, 2009)
• "Adler Must Support Health Care Reform" (Courier-Post — November 6, 2009)
• "Healthcare Reform And Small Business" (WBAI Evening Wakeup Call — September 2, 2009 AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW)
• "Small Businesses and Health Care Reform" (MSNBC — August 30, 2009 VIDEO NEWS INTERVIEW)
• "Main Street Program To Speak Out On Health Care Reform" (NJBIZ — August 28, 2009)
• "How Will The Healthcare Reform Impact Small Business?" (Community News — August 27, 2009)
• "Small Business Owners Deliver Mixed Messages To Capitol Hill" (Kaiser Health News — July 9, 2009)
• "A Good Sense Alternative For Employee Health Coverage" (NJBIZ — July 6, 2009)
• "Small Businesses Will Rally For Lower Health Care Costs" (NJBIZ — June 15, 2009)
• "Health Insurers Balk At Some Changes" (The New York Times — June 3, 2009)
• VIDEO: Clips of the Q&A from Kelly’s Testimony at the Ways & Means Committee Hearing on April 29, 2009:
  • Kelly Q & A Part 1  —  Kelly Q & A Part 2  —  Kelly Q & A Part 3  —
  • Kelly Q & A Part 4  —  Kelly Q & A Part 5  —  Kelly Q & A Part 6.
• "New Jersey Woodworker Crafts Health Care Reform Proposal For Congress" (Insurance & Financial Advisor – May 1, 2009)
• VIDEO: Kelly Conklin testifies to the House Ways & Means Committee on April 29, 2009
• "Small Biz Pushes For Health Reform" (WHYY News — April 29, 2009 — both article and AUDIO NEWS INTERVIEW)
  
• VIDEO: Dr. Melba Bonnelli speaks about the need for health care reform at the White House roundtable on April 24, 2009
  
• VIDEO: NJMSA Message to Congressman John Adler (D – 3rd Congressional District), on April 17, 2009, about small business owners' struggle to find quality, affordable health care
• "The Real Cure For Small-Business Health" (The Times of Trenton — February 5, 2009)
• "Organization Takes The Pulse Of Main Street In New Jersey" (The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains–Fanwood Times — January 29, 2009)
• "Seeking A Cure To Small Biz Health-Care" (The Times of Trenton — January 25, 2009)
• "Failing Health" (Asbury Park Press — December 24, 2008)
• "To Their Health" (Burlington County Times — December 19, 2008
  
• VIDEO: WMBC-TV news coverage of the NJ Main Street Alliance Coalition Launch on December 18, 2008.

Contact

If you have any questions about the New Jersey Main Street Alliance, please contact:

Stefanie Rubin
Small Business Organizer
New Jersey Citizen Action
744 Broad Street – Suite 2080
Newark, NJ 07102

Phone: 973-643-8800 x230
Fax: 973-643-8100
Email: stefanie@njcitizenaction.org