July 29, 2024

Wayne County Launches “Waynetrepreneurs” Initiative to Ease Healthcare Costs for Small Businesses

Program to offer preventative and specialty care coverage for new small business employees

Wayne County, MI., July 29, 2024 — Wayne County Health, Human, and Veteran Services, in partnership with HealthChoice, today announced the launch of “Waynetrepreneurs,” an initiative that helps new small business owners provide healthcare to their employees. The new program will alleviate financial burdens around high health insurance costs, encourage economic growth, and support the health and well-being of the local small business workforce.

The HealthChoice program, operated in partnership with Wayne County, offers low-cost, high quality health insurance coverage with zero out-of-pocket costs to small businesses in Wayne and Oakland Counties. The program offers three months of free HealthChoice coverage for owners of new small businesses and their employees. Businesses established in Wayne County starting after January 1, 2024 (first pay roll for 2+ employees had to run after Jan. 1, 2024) with at least 2 full-time employees (and less than 50), are eligible. Neither the business nor employees should have prior enrollment with HealthChoice.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community, driving innovation and creating jobs,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “Nationally, 44% of businesses do not offer health insurance to their employees. The ‘Waynetrepreneurs’ initiative will provide critical support for new small businesses across Wayne County to provide health insurance for their employees as they get off the ground.”

“Healthcare is one of the biggest challenges new small businesses have to tackle,” said HHVS Director Abdul El-Sayed. “Waynetrepeneurs will offer a pathway toward affordable healthcare for new small business owners and their employees—reducing the number of uninsured in our county and improving health and wellbeing—all while supporting our business climate.”

Wayne County Commission Chair, Alisha Bell, said “One of the number one concerns for small-business owners is how to pay for employee health insurance coverage. This new program offers a solution that encourages economic growth while ensuring the health of our workforce.”

“Small business are the cornerstone of our community and serve as powerful engine of economic growth on the local level,” said  HealthChoice Executive Director, Christopher Johnson.  HealthChoice offers an incredible value for small businesses in our county—the ‘Waynetrepeneurs’ program will extend that value to new businesses and their employees.”

For more information about “Waynetrepreneurs” and how to apply, please visit www.freehealthchoice.com