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PODCAST
October 5, 2026 ~ Jamie Edmonds and Lloyd Jackson talk with Brian Calley, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, about rising healthcare costs impacting local businesses.
LANSING, Mich. ~ Rising health care costs are becoming a growing concern for Michigan small-business owners, who say increasing insurance expenses are making it harder to hire workers and expand their operations. Business leaders warn that annual cost increases are outpacing what many smaller employers can absorb, adding pressure as businesses face other rising employment-related expenses. Surveys of small-business owners indicate many fear they could eventually be forced to scale back health benefits if current trends continue.
Supporters are urging state lawmakers to advance legislation that would allow small businesses to join association health plans and create self-insured risk pools, similar to those used by many large corporations. Advocates say the proposal could help reduce costs through greater bargaining power and flexibility while preserving quality coverage for workers. Small-business groups argue that addressing health care affordability is critical to supporting job growth and ensuring employees continue to have access to employer-sponsored health insurance.
