Quickbooks Survey Shows Pandemic has Driven Black Businesses into Further Medical Debt

Recent Intuit Quickbooks Business Health Survey findings do not paint a bright picture for Black businesses dealing with healthcare issues.  One of the starkest findings was that more than one in three Black business owners doubt that they will be able to pay off their healthcare debt during their lifetime, averaging $18,000.

The survey polled 4,000 Black business owners, employees, and self-employed people nationwide and revealed they face more significant financial challenges and barriers to healthcare than non-Black businesses. 

Among the findings:

• Almost one in four Black respondents (24%) report that they currently have no health insurance, compared to 13% of other respondents. 
• The same proportion (24%) say that it is not sufficient while they do have health insurance, it is not enough. This compares to just 18% of other respondents.
• Black respondents report worse access to health care. Overall, one in eight (12%) describe it as “terrible.” Just 5% of their peers say the same.
• On the positive front, one in four Black respondents (27%) rate their physical well-being as “excellent”—compared to 21% of other respondents.

The study also found that the ongoing pandemic has worsened the situation, with 42% of Black respondents revealing it negatively affected their finances. 

Healthcare costs across the board and racial lines have burdened every family, with insurance costs rising and people going into debt. Still, the Black respondents to the survey are faring much worse than average.  

In addition, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, Black Americans fare worse than white Americans on 44 health care measures, more than any other racial or ethnic group. With small businesses being an essential driver for the U.S. economy, hiring more than 40% of all workers in the country, the study shows that Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted.