"Katie Vlietstra, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs for NASE [said,] 'Greater than 23% of those we surveyed are budgeting to spend more than $10,000 on health care expenses alone this coming year. That level of spending on health care costs hurts the bottom lines of America's smallest businesses and it impedes their ability to save, grow and create new jobs. The small business community is the engine of our nation's economy and the cost of health care coverage continues to clog the fuel line.' " [Also available: detailed survey results.]  MORE >>