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Small Businesses Drop Health Plans Amid 7% Coverage Decline

7/8/2026

39 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Small businesses are abandoning employer-sponsored health plans as premiums surge and coverage falls.
Employer-based coverage for working-age adults dropped from 67% in 1998 to about 60% today.
Rising premiums are driven by high hospital, doctor and prescription-drug prices and more intensive care.
STAT interviews with dozens of owners and workers nationwide revealed panic, despair and anger over unaffordable options.

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Story summary

Small businesses are abandoning employer-sponsored health plans as premiums surge and coverage falls.
Employer-based coverage for working-age adults dropped from 67% in 1998 to about 60% today.
Rising premiums are driven by high hospital, doctor and prescription-drug prices and more intensive care.
STAT interviews with dozens of owners and workers nationwide revealed panic, despair and anger over unaffordable options.