The Oregon Small Business Healthcare Initiative (OSBHI) is the brainchild of the Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership (OSBRL) Healthcare Committee.  The OSBRL is a group of concerned small business owners working as a nonpartisan advocacy organization committed to the creation, promotion and preservation of small business that is beneficial to Oregon communities.  Launch of the OSBHI was made possible through funding from the Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF).

The mission of the OSBHI is to mobilize Oregon small businesses to speak with one voice to achieve quality, comprehensive, sustainable healthcare at a reasonable cost for small businesses and all Oregonians.   As the OSBHI represents small business owners and entrepreneurs around the state: 

Our primary objective is to achieve quality, comprehensive, and sustainable healthcare at a reasonable cost for small businesses and all Oregonians.

• We represent diverse small business owners statewide with fewer than 100 employees.
• We work with other governmental and nongovernmental organizations, experts and resources to ensure Oregon’s small business owners have a voice and presence in the discussion and solution for healthcare reform.
• OSBHI partners with business organizations and advocacy organizations statewide in gathering information on the current impact of the healthcare system and formulating recommendations with collaborated resources on the future healthcare policy decisions.
• We perform ongoing review and evaluation of legislative and public policy activities that have potential impacts for Oregon’s small businesses.
• Our outreach includes rural, ethnically diverse, women, disadvantaged and disability business owners.
• Our primary focus is on:  (1)  Policymakers and thought leaders; and (2) other business and healthcare organizations and stakeholders.

It takes action and commitment to impact policy decisions, and OSBHI members are committed to making a difference.  We represent small businesses that are:

• Dedicated to providing their employees with quality healthcare;
• Speaking out about possible solutions for reforming the healthcare system;
• Interested in actively recruiting, educating and engaging other small businesses in their communities; and
• Willing to collaborate with other organizations to achieve affordable and sustainable financing options; efficiency and quality as Oregon moves toward healthcare coverage for all.
• Most of all, OSBHI members are committed to participating in the development of a roadmap for change that includes realistic and clear action steps to remedy our current healthcare crisis.

Small businesses are the engine of new job growth, with small companies generating half of America's gross domestic product and two-thirds of new jobs every year. During these tough economic times, we need a health-care system that helps keep our small businesses strong. That means shared responsibility: Business owners, employees, government, health-care providers and consumers must all be willing to support a system in which everyone has access to affordable, quality and sustainable health coverage.

[ Join the fight today! ]