Health coverage access and affordability is a major concern to small business owners, and the community is "leveraging its voice in the economic stimulus debate to focus" on overhauling the U.S. health care system, the Washington Post's "Small Business on washingtonpost.com" reports.

A recent survey by the Entrepreneurs' Organization of its 7,000 members found that more than 70% of respondents were concerned about the rising cost of providing health care in 2009. EO Global Board of Directors Chair Dave Galbenski said, "Health care and access to credit are issues that have been on the radar screen for our members for years." He added that during an economic recession it is not surprising that health care is at the top of the list of concerns for business owners because it is a "key cost" for businesses.

Health care premiums for small businesses on average are 18% higher than those of large businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. According to business simulations conducted by NFIB, if the federal government required employers to offer employees coverage beginning in 2009 and mandated that they cover at least 50% of the cost, more than 1…