Here’s some of what we heard from small business owners last week when we helped our client Access Health CT host a series of seminars and booth space at the CT Business Expo at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Based on 75 surveys:

• 80% believe health insurance is an essential benefit for employees, but their biggest concern is the cost.
• When asked about their biggest worry with health insurance exchanges, 70% said high premiums.
• The next biggest concern – a distant second at 17% was not having enough plan choice.
• Only 11% worried about any penalty they would have to pay if they don’t comply.

When asked what aspect of the ACA is most important, the majority said that individuals with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied insurance. The second was equal rates for men and women.