AUGUSTA (AP) – A group says its survey of nearly 200 Maine small businesses shows support for a public health care plan and greater government oversight over health insurance.

The Small Business Coalition, a project of the Maine People’s Alliance, presented a report Friday that also shows a willingness on the part of small businesses to pay a share of health care costs to guarantee affordable coverage for themselves and their employees.

Many small employers who provide insurance say they’re being squeezed by rapidly rising costs. Maine is among the dozen states where small businesses were surveyed about health insurance.

The consumers’ group Friday made no specific reference to Maine’s Dirigo health program, which was designed to bring universal health care to the state.