Women small business owners gathered Wednesday morning in Chicago to get the facts about the impact of Obamacare on their businesses, employees and families. Enrollment is set to open on October 1, and small business owners are set to finally get some relief when Obamacare goes into effect. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky keynoted the workshop, which also featured speakers from the Small Business Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Women’s Business Development Center, the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Women Employed sponsored the workshop.

Currently, women spend 48 percent more than men on health care, and often struggle to obtain coverage for themselves and their employees due to exorbitant costs and lack of coverage for basic health events like pregnancy.  The new law includes provisions that make it easier for small business owners to provide their employees with insurance. It prohibits insurance companies from discriminating based on gender or pre-existing conditions, which means lower costs for small business owners and their female employees. New state health insurance exchanges create a larger pool that allows its members to leverage greater purchasing power and take advantage of spreading risk across a larger population. The new simplified online system lowers administrative costs, so will in turn allow insurance companies to offer lower premiums. In addition, many small businesses will be eligible for tax credits in an effort to help offset the cost of health plans.  For more information about how your business may be impacted, visit www.Healthcare.gov.