The economy remains unsteady 22 months after the recession began, with banks restricting credit and consumers hunkering down. For these small businesses, and many others across the country, there's an additional dark cloud: uncertainty created by Washington's bid to reorganize a wide swath of the U.S. economy.

The economic contraction is of course the prime force driving companies to lay off workers. But a health-care overhaul grinding through Congress could bring unknown new obligations to insure employees. Bush-era tax cuts are set to end next year, and their fate is unclear. Legislation aimed at tackling climate change might raise businesses' energy costs. Meanwhile, a bill aimed at increasing transportation spending is stalled.

Many companies say they have responded by freezing hiring, cutting benefits and delaying expansion plans. With at least 60% of job growth historically coming out of the small-business sector, according to the government's Small Business Administration, that kind of inertia could impede an economic recovery.

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine • --The 2009 American Health Care Reform Debate • * Economics, Politics • Economy • Consumer/consumer spending • Labor/Labor Unions/Labor Market

1. Archer_of_the_Forest wrote: That headline is deceptive. October 27, 1:01 pm | [comment link]

2. Lee Parker wrote: You are right Archer.  The Headline should read Inequitable Health Care is Destroying Small Business. October 27, 2:13 pm | [comment link]

3. BlueOntario wrote: Or perhaps, “Job Market Frozen; Health Care Debate Continues.” October 27, 2:46 pm | [comment link]

4. Dave B wrote: Well this is change we can believe in..perhaps not the kind of change we would want.. October 28, 5:39 am | [comment link]

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