Many small business owners have questions about how the Health Care Reform will effect them….

“I own a small business and want to provide health insurance for my employees and their families. Are there subsidies or other assistance to help me afford to coverage?”

Many small businesses will be eligible for tax credits of up to 35 percent. Businesses that employ fewer than 25 employees, pay average annual wages of $50,000 and pay at least half the cost of single coverage for their employees may be eligible to receive a tax credit.

Employers with 10 or fewer employees that pay annual average wages of $25,000 or less per year may be eligible for up to a 35 percent tax credit in 2010.

In 2014, the tax credit for eligible small businesses will increase to 50 percent of premiums paid.

Full eligibility details will be provided by the Internal Revenue Service. You should review and discuss the full criteria with a tax professional to determine whether your business will qualify.

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The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation on Wednesday announced a $1.18 million grant to the N.C. Academy of Family Physicians for a mentoring program to help address the shortage of family physicians in the state.

With the grant, the academy will increase medical students’ exposure to innovative practice in family medicine and encourage more of the state’s medical students to pursue a career in family medicine. 

Health officials have worried that the newly passed health care reform bill will increase the number of patients in the state who are insured and can seek regular primary care. (more…)