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OPERATOR FINANCES & INSURANCE: The National Limousine Association offers this primer on health care developments destined to affect the finances and benefit packages of almost every small business in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The NLA released a rundown of health care changes, tips, and facts last week as part of its annual Day On the Hill Agenda. Absent any future repeal, the recent passage of a sweeping health care reform package will eventually trigger significant changes in health care costs and benefit structures for small businesses. Text of the primer from the Department of Treasury below:

NLA SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE TO HEALTH CARE REFORM

Health Care Reform has dominated the national attention for the past year.  Regardless of your support or opposition to reform, the health care situation for American small businesses is as follows:

• small businesses' health care costs have grown 129% since 2000,
• workers in small business pay an average of 18% more for premiums than those with larger firms, and
• only 45% of America's small businesses can afford to offer health benefits-the majority of uninsured Americans are small owners, employees, and their families.