Poll Shows Solid Business Support for Health Care Reform

EIGHT OF 10 WHO SUPPORT REFORM WILLING TO GET INVOLVED IN DEBATE

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising health care costs are the single
biggest economic concern facing American businesses, according to a survey of
business leaders released today by Business Forward.

Nearly 90% of those polled cite health care costs as a major concern, more
than cite taxes, government regulation, labor costs or energy costs.

Without reform, 86% of those polled believe that health care costs will
continue to rise in the next five years, and 55% believe it will go up "a
lot." If costs continue to rise as expected, nearly 9 out of 10 business
leaders expect to raise their employees' deductibles and copayments. Nearly 8
out of 10 expect to cut benefits. And nearly one in three expects to lay off
employees.

"Year after year, business leaders have watched health care costs consume a
larger part of their budgets and our economy, and they want action," said
Business Forward Executive Director Jim Doyle. "This poll reminds us why it
is so important for business leaders, trade groups, regulators, Congress and
the President to stay at the negotiating table."

The poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Research in advance of President Obama's
address to Congress, showed that 57% of business leaders believe health care
reform should be an important government policy. They support key elements of
a reform plan, including insurance exchange (78% favorable), efficiency
reforms and an oversight commission (71%), requiring insurance companies to
cover pre-existing conditions (79%) and a public health option (51%).

"At a time when many Americans are worried about partisanship on both sides,
this support is significant, because it comes from a group -- business leaders
-- that is disproportionately Republican," said Doyle.

The survey also indicates that the surge in interest among business leaders
during the 2008 campaigns is likely to continue -- and it could have a big
impact on Washington. One in three business leaders became more involved in
the 2008 campaign than in previous campaigns, and nearly nine out of ten of
those leaders expect to be even more involved in future campaigns.

Business Forward is a new organization dedicated to building business support
for policies that promote America's economic competitiveness, particularly
those that relate to health care, energy, the environment and education.
Business Forward briefs business leaders on key issues, holds conferences and
press events, issues policy briefings and engages in other public advocacy
initiatives.

Methodology. Anzalone Liszt Research conducted n=800 live telephone
interviews with U.S. business leaders. Interviews were conducted between
August 19 and September 1, 2009. Respondents were selected at random, and
represent 9 major sectors of the U.S. economy, covering 81% of national
payroll according to 2007 NAICS data (construction, manufacturing, wholesale
trade, retail trade, finance / insurance, healthcare / social assistance,
professional / scientific / technical services, administrative support / waste
management / remediation services, and accommodation / food services).
Respondents are executive-level employees who are both knowledgeable about
their company's healthcare costs, and involved in decision-making regarding
their company's healthcare expenses. Respondents represent small (1-99
employees), medium (100-999) and large (1000+) firms. Expected margin of
sampling error for these results is +/- 3.5% with a 95% confidence level.

About Anzalone Liszt Research
Anzalone Liszt Research is a public opinion research firm providing polling,
qualitative research, and strategic consulting to a diverse national client
base. Clients include President Barack Obama, two United States Senators, and
nineteen Members of Congress, as well as major corporations, non-profits, and
issue advocacy groups. Anzalone Liszt Research has studied healthcare issues
from many perspectives, helping doctors, hospitals, nurses, businesses, and
national advocacy organizations understand the country's healthcare landscape.
Partners John Anzalone and Jeff Liszt have offices in Washington, D.C., and
Montgomery, Alabama.

On the web:
http://www.drivingbusinessforward.org
http://www.anzaloneresearch.com

CONTACT: ELIZABETH FISON
efison@brunswickgroup.com
202-393-7337

SOURCE Business Forward

Elizabeth Fison, +1-202-393-7337, efison@brunswickgroup.com