In a March 17 article, The Hill asserted: “Small businesses are also worried about an Obama healthcare proposal that could require small firms to provide health insurance to their workers.” However, as Media Matters for America repeatedly documented, during the presidential campaign then-Sen. Barack Obama proposed requiring large businesses that do not provide employer-sponsored health coverage to pay a percentage of their payroll into a National Health Insurance Exchange to help Americans purchase private health insurance but stated that small businesses would be exempt.

During the October 7, 2008, presidential debate, Obama stated of his health care plan, “Small businesses are not going to have a mandate,” and stated during the October 15, 2008, presidential debate: “I exempt small businesses from the requirement for large businesses that can afford to provide health care to their employees, but are not doing it.”

Moreover, Obama proposed a Small Business Health Tax Credit that would reimburse employers for up to half the cost of employees' insurance premiums if they choose to provide coverage. During the October 7 debate, Obama stated, “What we're going to give you is a 50 percent tax credit to help provide health care for those that you need.”

From the March 17 Hill article:

Small businesses are also worried about an Obama healthcare proposal that could require small firms to provide health insurance to their workers. In addition, Obama supports the labor-friendly Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to organize and is opposed by businesses large and small.

Obama had made a point of reaching out to small businesses before Monday.