Employers learn about rising health care costs

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The new Affordable Care Act could cost small businesses more money to pay for their employees' health insurance plans.

On Tuesday dozens of small business owners learned how much they'll have to spend and how they can minimize the impact of the higher cost.

The Director of the UMass Amherst Family Business Center said it's important for family-owned businesses to know about tax breaks and tax credits that could help them save money.

Director of the UMass Family Business Center Ira Bryck said, “The program is being implemented slowly and in parts, and they don't know if it's going to put them out of business or stop hiring or will it be a god-send? The early parts of it have already proved pretty successful.”

The health care reform goes into effect January 2014.