EVENT | The Future of Benefits: Emerging Opportunities in the Healthcare Market for Small Employers

WASHINGTON, DC – Ahead of Super Tuesday, a new poll finds that consumers are deeply concerned about the state of democracy and strongly support action by businesses to protect democratic institutions. The poll, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Public Private Strategies Institute, sheds light on consumer expectations for businesses to actively engage in protecting and upholding democracy in the United States. The newly released research builds on previous surveys from the Business & Democracy Initiative that show business leaders and consumers alike know that a strong democracy is essential to a strong economy. Read the Full Survey Report Here The survey questioned more than 2,500 consumers across the country and shows strong consumer preferences for business action to prevent the spread of disinformation on social media, encourage employee civic education and participation, and take a public stance in support of democratic institutions. Key Survey Findings: Consumers are deeply concerned with the state of American democracy: 84% of consumers express concerns about the state of democracy in the U.S., with 86% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans sharing this concern. Consumers believe businesses have a responsibility to act to protect democracy: 76% of consumers believe businesses should ensure safe and fair elections. 72% of consumers support businesses speaking out publicly about threats to democracy. 67% of consumers want businesses to influence federal policies related to democracy. 69% of consumers expect businesses to take action at the state level. Consumers support concrete actions by businesses to support democracy, including shifting advertising and donation dollars to support democratic ideals: 74% of consumers support businesses that pull advertising dollars from social media platforms that do little to prevent the spread of disinformation. 65% of consumers support business donations to political candidates or organizations that work to protect democracy. 75% agree employees should have time off for political engagement. 74% support businesses publicly endorsing democratic principles. Rhett Buttle, President of Public Private Strategies Institute and Co-Founder of the Business & Democracy Initiative : "These findings make it clear that a thriving democracy is not just a political concern, but an economic imperative. The overwhelming majority of consumers recognize the link between democracy and a strong economy. This data should be a wake-up call for businesses as we approach the 2024 elections. Consumers believe that businesses have a duty to ensure fair elections and protect democratic institutions, and businesses need to act accordingly.” ###

On September 28, 2023, PPSI hosted a virtual event, The Future of Benefits: Emerging Opportunities & Innovations for Hispanic-Owned Businesses. During Hispanic Heritage Month, this virtual event examined trends in the healthcare market for small- and medium-sized employers. The event featured an expert panel discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities in expanding healthcare coverage among Hispanic business owners and their employees, including the fix for the “family glitch," new health reimbursement arrangement options, the Inflation Reduction Act, and enrollment in the Marketplace. The webinar highlighted the evolution of the employer market and new choices in the small and medium-sized market for small business owners. Speakers included: Ramiro Cavazos, President & CEO, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Dr. Erika Gonzalez, Owner, South Texas Allergy and Asthma Medical Professionals (STAAMP) and Co-Chair, Small Business for America’s Future Katherine Hempstead, Senior Policy Advisor at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Marvin Figueroa, Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, US Department of Health and Human Services C. LeRoy Cavazos Reyna, Senior Advisor, Public Private Strategies (moderator) You can watch a full recording of the event below:

Collaboration Will Reach Thousands of Businesses, Inform and Connect Federal Investments to Employers, Workers, and Minority Communities

Project Will Reach Hundreds of Thousands of Businesses Across the PPSI Network, Inform and Connect Them With U.S. Small Business Administration Initiatives and Programs

Project Will Reach Hundreds of Thousands of Businesses Across the PPSI Network, Inform and Connect Them With U.S. Small Business Administration Initiatives and Programs

Readout of PPSI Business Leader Briefing with Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan WASHINGTON D.C. – On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan joined the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) for a Business Leader Briefing. Chair Khan was joined in discussion by Rhett Buttle, President of PPSI. The virtual event was joined by hundreds of business leaders to learn more about the FTC’s priorities and initiatives, and how the agency’s work impacts communities across the country. Chair Khan provided remarks on the history and the core missions of the FTC, as well as how her agency is dedicated to not only protecting consumers and consumer interests but also businesses who are trying to find their space in the marketplace. “Today the FTC enforces antitrust laws, which are really about promoting competition, making sure that businesses are able to compete on the merits.” said Chair Khan. “If somebody has a good idea and they’re able to get financing for that idea, the goal is to make sure whether they succeed or fail is linked to the success of their idea and not whether they are upsetting one of the existing giants.” Chair Khan discussed the agency’s recently proposed rule to ban non-compete clauses, current policy initiatives to promote consumer and small business safety within the digital space, and useful tools and services for small businesses nationwide. Additionally, Chair Khan had a conversation with Buttle and answered questions from small business owners and business leaders, about topics ranging from how the FTC works to support small businesses, to how the FTC approaches the balance of ensuring consumers have protections while supporting the usage of tools to drive small business growth. “During the pandemic many small businesses saw huge digital acceleration and a lot of Main Streets really turned to digital tools,” said Buttle . “We hear a lot of businesses empowered by digital tools, but also businesses struggling with Digital Tools. I’m curious how does the FTC approach this balance of protecting consumers and small employers, while at the same time allowing support for the many small businesses who are being accelerated by the digital economy?” “One of the top sources of complaints that we get from smaller businesses in the space of digital markets is that a lot of the key tools that you need to compete and access digital markets are controlled by a relatively small number of companies, so that’s one of the things that we’re looking at,” said Chair Khan. You can view an event of the recording below Note, this conversation was originally recorded on June 21, 2023.

Public Private Strategies Institute and U.S. Department of Commerce Announce New Collaboration to Educate Business Owners on New Federal Economic Investments & Pilot Strategies to Accelerate “Good Jobs” Partnership Will Reach Hundreds of Thousands of Businesses, Inform and Connect Federal Investments & Pilot Programs to Strengthen Employers & Workers WASHINGTON, DC (June 20, 2023)– Today, Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new collaboration to expand public awareness of the Department’s programs, priorities, and new initiatives. The historic economic investments made over the past two years include tens of billions of dollars in funding opportunities flowing through the Department of Commerce. These resources have the potential to transform communities and strengthen our economy, but only if business owners have access to information about new programs and are connected with the tools to take advantage of them. That’s why Public Private Strategies Institute and the Department of Commerce will jointly host a series of events that bring together senior administration officials, business leaders, nonprofit leaders, and small employers – these events will reach hundreds of thousands of business owners across the PPSI and Department of Commerce networks. In addition, Reimagine Main Street , a project of PPSI, and the Department of Commerce will engage small employers on job quality and design pilots to advance “Good Jobs.” Ultimately, the partnership seeks to accelerate small business awareness and adoption of Good Jobs Principles through the DOC’s Job Quality Toolkit . U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo: “Thanks to President Biden we have seen a historic small business boom over the past two years, and the Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring this boom translates into high-quality job opportunities for workers across the country. As the Department and entire Administration continue to make investments in America, including in our small businesses, we are taking steps like this collaboration and our Job Quality Toolkit to ensure small business owners have the tools and knowledge they need to create good jobs and grow economic opportunity in every community.” Rhett Buttle, President, Public Private Strategies Institute: “Major investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act have enabled the Department of Commerce to rapidly develop and deploy new programs and funding opportunities for businesses across the country. For these opportunities to be implemented efficiently, effectively, and equitably, there needs to be dedicated and consistent outreach and education to help diverse constituencies of business owners access these generational investments. “That’s why PPSI is so excited about this partnership to engage our diverse network of hundreds of thousands of business owners to expand public awareness of these historic economic opportunities.” Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute: “Reimagine Main Street looks forward to our partnership with the Department of Commerce to improve job quality among small employers. More than half of the nation’s 134 million employees work for firms with fewer than 100 employees. These firms and workers are the lifeblood of MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets across the country. However, research shows these workers are less likely to be in ‘good jobs’ compared to workers employed by larger firms, and represent a significant share of low-wage workers. “Our collaboration with the Department of Commerce will leverage our network to engage diverse business owners across the country and pilot strategies to increase the quality of all jobs.” Earlier this year, Reimagine Main Street launched a project to improve job quality with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Reimagine Main Street’s previous research on Good Jobs and small employers found that job quality is a significant driver of business performance. As a result, efforts to advance good jobs should accelerate growth and increase the profitability of small businesses, create incentives for already strong small companies to improve job quality, and stimulate innovations across markets and policy to make affordable benefits available at scale. This partnership between Reimagine Main Street and the Department of Commerce builds on the insights from that work. ### About Public Private Strategies Institute The Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) is an independent research and education organization. PPSI engages in educational activities concerning the public and private sectors’ roles in advancing societal change. PPSI explores best practices and trends through research, publications, and educational events. Additionally, it produces educational and informational content that will educate public and private sector actors about their capacity to be agents of social change; and conduct research into the existing landscape of public and private social responsibility and the potential for the future. For more information, please visit ppsi.org . About Reimagine Main Street Reimagine Main Street , a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute, is a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector initiative that brings small business leaders, investors, experts, and policymakers together with business owners and the people they employ. We engage diverse stakeholders and develop data-driven insights to shape and inform market opportunities and policy. Together, we are working to ensure MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets prosper, and that the benefits ripple across communities and throughout the economy. About the U.S. Department of Commerce The Department of Commerce’s mission is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities. Through its 13 bureaus, the Department works to drive U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthen domestic industry, and spur the growth of quality jobs in all communities across the country. The Department serves as the voice of business in the Federal Government, and at the same time, the Department touches and serves every American every day.

Today, Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new collaboration to expand public awareness of the Department’s programs, priorities, and new initiatives.

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 11, 2023, Public Private Strategies Institute facilitated a roundtable discussion with the members of the Bipartisan U.S. House Working Group on Paid Leave and business leaders from across 10 major business organizations. The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges for the small business community that are presented by a federal paid family and medical leave program and possible paths forward for small business owners and the self-employed. Business leaders were in dialogue with members of the bipartisan U.S. House Working Group on Paid Leave, including Representative Colin Allred (D-TX), Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Representative Julia Letlow (R-LA), and Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). The Washington Post highlighted the event, noting the optimism and progress made among the bipartisan group. Washington Post: A big day in Washington for paid leave Paid leave is having a moment. The House bipartisan paid family leave working group is hosting another monthly meeting this morning, building on the momentum of previous meetings as the group continues to work toward a bipartisan agreement. The bipartisan working group, led by Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), will focus on the business perspective and will hear from leaders of Etsy, Pinterest, the National Association for the Self-Employed, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., and the National Association of Women Business Owners about the benefits and challenges of paid leave. Read the full story here . Following the event on May 11, business leaders shared their perspective and takeaways from the discussion on the future of federal paid leave policy. Megan Patton, Board of Directors Member, National Association of Women Business Owners & Managing Partner, ODA Strategy: “It was a pleasure being a part of the House Working Group on Paid Leave’s roundtable discussion. From a moral standpoint, our women business owners want to provide paid leave to their employees, but we know that the cost and a lack of replacement workers can impede putting a formal paid leave program in place. We hope the Working Group continues to look for the proper baseline, so we can keep our small business owners thriving.” Ramiro Cavazos, President & CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC): “The Hispanic business community is key to growing our American economy -- we are honored to be a part of this important bipartisan roundtable discussion with the House Working Group members to voice the needs of all Hispanic businesses. The need for attracting a more diverse and skilled workforce grows daily and efforts to address programs like paid family and medical leave at the federal level will only benefit all small and minority-owned businesses. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce welcomes the opportunity to continue to engage with this group of legislators as they continue to develop solutions for paid leave policies.” Eddie Monroy, Executive Director, NextGen Chamber of Commerce: “Direct engagement with working group House Members was critical in ensuring the business perspective of next generation leadership is heard. “The workforce and hiring continue to be a top issue for the small business ecosystem. In order to be competitive we need solutions such as paid leave to help small entrepreneurs compete. A recent survey from the NextGen Chamber of Commerce and Capital One showed that a significant number of start-ups – a combined 55%, were born out of necessity during the pandemic, driven by childcare and adult caregiving demands. “The work of this bipartisan group of legislators is an important step in the right direction to helping small businesses remain competitive in the marketplace and to compete for top talent.” Chiling Tong, President & CEO National ACE: “It was an honor to be invited to participate in an engaging dialogue with members of the Bipartisan House Paid Leave Working Group alongside many of our partners in the diverse small business community. Paid leave is an important issue for AAPI business owners, who often come from multigenerational households with caregiving responsibilities. There is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach for a paid leave framework that meets the needs of all small business owners, so we deeply appreciate the Working Group’s commitment to learning and hearing from the small business community about what works, and what doesn’t work in terms of paid leave. "National ACE looks forward to continuing our engagement with members of the Working Group, as well as our partners to explore solutions that work for AAPI small businesses, and for all small businesses.” Katie Vlietstra Wonneberg, Secretary, Public Private Strategies Institute: “Public Private Strategies Institute is proud to be able to bring together the public and private sectors for this important bipartisan dialogue on the future of paid leave. “Small and medium sized businesses face significant challenges in the paid leave space. As bipartisan discussions on paid family and medical leave policies continue at the federal level, in-person and direct engagement from business leaders is critical to shaping good policy development and outcomes.” The full list of business leaders and organizations participating in the event included: Talisha Bekavac , Executive Vice President, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) Ramiro Cavazos , President & CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Todd McCracken , President & CEO, National Small Business Association (NSBA) Eddie Monroy , Executive Director, NextGen Chamber of Commerce Elle Patout , National Director of Advocacy and Public Relations, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Megan Patton , Board of Directors Member, NAWBO & Managing Partner, ODA Strategy Adrienne Schweer , Head of the Paid Family Leave Task Force, Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Chiling Tong , Chief Executive Officer & President, National ACE Katie Vlietstra Wonneberg , Principal, Public Private Strategies and Secretary, Public Private Strategies Institute Jeff Zubricki , Head of Etsy Americas Advocacy and Public Policy ###