PRINCETON, NJ – A new poll by Gallup reveals that nearly half (48%) of U.S. small business owners believe the Obamacare, as in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is going to be bad for their business, compared with 9% who say it is going to beneficial, and 39% who expect no impact.

Similarly, 52% of owners say the ACA is going to reduce the quality of health care they and their employees receive, compared with 13% who feel it will improve the quality of care and 30% who see no impact.

When it comes to health-care costs, 55% of small business owners believe they will pay more for health care, while 5% say their costs will fall and 37% say it will have no impact on their costs.

When asked if they had taken any action in anticipation of the ACA, 41% of small business owners said they have held off on hiring new employees, and 38% have pulled back on efforts to grow their business. Meanwhile, 19% have reduced their employee count and 18% have trimmed employee hours.