The vast majority of small businesses, including the major small business organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, strongly oppose the health legislation attempting to be brought up for a vote, as it could decimate small business and cause private insurers to pay more to compensate for the eventual public option below-market rates offered by the government.

Wisely, small business is calling out the government on its conflict of interest where it would be both a regulator and payer at the same time, tilting the playing field in their favor.

A letter sent from 10 small business groups stated even though negotiated rates would be part of the initial public plan, “soon there would be tremendous pressure for the new public plan to pay below-market rates, just as we have seen in Medicare and Medicaid.” That’s what’s meant above with costs being shifted to employees and private insurers covered under non-government plans. In other words, the government would eventually provide all the health care in a move that the majority of consumers and employees don’t understand. Without competition, those rates would ultimately rise to whatever levels the government chose.

But even if that didn’t happen, the rates would increase because of the costs being born by private insurers than the public one, which can use taxpayer dollars to continue to put pressure on them. There would also be additional services forced to be covered, which would also drive up costs. Those services include the very controversial sides of behavior health, which are costly and in some cases – dubious. Whether you believe that or not though, small business would be forced to provide a minimum of coverage which they don’t have to now.

Ever employers not using the exchanges would be forced to provide additional coverage beyond what they’re offering now, again, driving up the cost of business, and ultimately the cost of living, as prices would be passed on to consumers.

Another devastating part of the bill is the mandates which would force employers to provide health care for both full- and part-time employees. If the small businesses can’t afford it, they would then have to dismiss employees in order to comply with the health care they’re being forced to offer. Worse, if you don’t provide health care, the government will take away 8 percent of your payroll through a draconian surcharge.

One of the NFIB senior vice presidents, Susan Eckerly, noted that a “no” vote would be taken into account as supporting small business, while a yes vote would dramatically change the way members of Congress would be rated on small business issues. Eckerly added that not only would it raise health-care costs, but it would also have a negative impact on the economy.

Along with the terrible public option, there is also taxes and fees which would dramatically increase the cost of doing business, which the small business organizations say will also slow growth and the hiring of new employees.