Only one in four businesses owners in Oregon provides health insurance for all employees -- according to a new study.
But when those owners are informed about the state's pending health insurance exchange, 40 percent say they're likely to buy insurance there for employees.
The survey was conducted by Kaiser Permanente and Small Business Majority, a group advocating for small businesses.
The survey showed owners wanted health plans that offer prevention and wellness services; and that they want employees to be able to pick their own plan.
The survey also found that only 45 percent of small businesses owners are aware there's now a federal tax credit for offering health care. Mike Roach employs nine people at Paloma Clothing in Portland.
Roach explained, "The Affordable Care Act is finally helping to ease the burden of high cost. We feel very fortunate to have received a federal income tax credit of $5,500 to provide health insurance to employees in 2010. It has helped defray our ever-rising costs."
The survey found small business owners who are Democrats are twice as likely to use the exchange as their Republicans or Independent peers.
The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 7 percent
