Study: Health care reform will lead 1.5 million Americans to become self-employed – Atlanta Business Chronicle

Will health care reform lead 1.5 million Americans to become self-employed next year?

Researchers from the Urban Institute and Georgetown University think so. They’ve concluded that the reforms under the Affordable Care Act will end “job lock” — people staying with their current employer just for the health coverage — and encourage folks to strike out on their own.

Beginning next year, insurers won’t be able to deny coverage to individuals because of pre-existing conditions or charge higher premiums because of an individual’s health status. Plus, the federal government will provide subsidies to low- and moderate-income individuals to help them purchase health insurance.

“By ensuring that people can’t be discriminated against when they buy health insurance and helping those with modest incomes cover the cost of premiums, the ACA could help create a new generation of self-employed entrepreneurs,” said Andy Hyman, who heads health coverage programs at the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. “Having access to affordable insurance on the open market is what millions of people need to become their own boss.”

via Study: Health care reform will lead 1.5 million Americans to become self-employed – Atlanta Business Chronicle.