How Health-Care Changes Impact Self Employed

With sweeping changes on the way to the nation’s health-care system, one of the many groups of workers that stand to be directly impacted is freelancers, who today make up 30% of the nation's workforce.

Sara Horowitz, founder and director of the Freelancers Union, said that as a result of the shift, “more (workers) [will be] in the driver’s seat about organizing their career than in the past. “

FOXBusiness: What do you see as being the biggest impact freelancers should expect from the health-care changes?

Horowitz: Right away, of course, is the pre-existing condition changes. This will be the big thing. For lower income freelancers, they will see they are able to get certain subsidies in the next few years.

FOXBusiness: What suggestions for finding insurance options do you have for freelancers?

Horowitz: People should be looking state by state. If people go to actorsfund.org, it is for people in the arts, but it [also] gives options for [freelancers] in every state .. I would also look at the Chamber of Commerce in your region.

FOXBusiness: What is your biggest piece of advice for people who are their own boss and “business?”

Horowitz: This is the truth, though it may sound odd. When people work on their own, they focus [100%] on the work, but they should focus [more] on networking. You need to talk to people you know and find out what work is out there. You need to always be marketing yourself and having a support network of people to talk to.

FOXBusiness: Do you think the health-care legislation will lead to more innovators taking the leap to the driver’s seat?

Horowitz: I do. It will enable people who stay in a job for health care to get out. People are going to have to be more nimble and more mobile. Not having your benefits tied to your employment will clearly help people be nimble.