Poll Shows Solid Business Support for Health Care Reform --EIGHT OF 10 WHO SUPPORT REFORM WILLING TO GET INVOLVED IN DEBATE

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.

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.

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