The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released the results of its Small Business Health-Care Survey yesterday. You can download the executive summary, and the complete results, here.

“Once again small-business owners overwhelmingly voiced the need for Congress to address ever-rising health insurance costs,” said William Dennis, senior research fellow, NFIB Research Foundation. “A difference in top priorities appears between Congress and America’s small-business owners. One is primarily interested in coverage and the other cost. If lawmakers can help reduce costs, small businesses can help increase coverage in the long-run.”

Here are a few highlights:

• Individual Mandate: A majority of NFIB members support a personal mandate requiring health insurance coverage for those financially able to purchase insurance – 57 support a personal mandate; 40 percent oppose. The survey indicates that 57 percent do not hold their opinion strongly.
• Employer Mandate: Fifty-eight percent think the employer’s role in financing health insurance should remain voluntary. NFIB members think employers should play a role in health care financing, but they oppose employer mandates.
• Underwriting and Personal Behavior: Seventy-six percent of NFIB members think individual behavior that influences health outcomes should be included in the calculation of health insurance premiums. In particular, the survey points to smoking and body mass/weight as factors that should be considered.

Read more information about the NFIB’s health care survey here.