President Obama signed into law a change in the way small employers can be defined under Obamacare starting next year. The bill was passed by both chambers without a single “no” vote and signed by the president Wednesday without controversy or fanfare. This change would require many small and mid-sized businesses to be subject to different rating rules and requirements, with the potential of increasing the health insurance premiums for small businesses, their employees and their families.
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Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle applauded Obama for approving the bill.
The legislation, called the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, covers a provision under the ACA that changed the definition of a small employer from one with 50 or fewer employees to one with 100 or fewer employees, beginning in 2016. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., a co-sponsor of the bill, said. Tim Scott, R-S.C.
Americans continue to be divided about the Affordable Care Act: 45 percent would like to keep the law and 44 percent want to repeal it. These percentages are virtually unchanged from September 2013.
Business groups had complained that many employers’ health care costs would increase. This could further increase the premiums for those left in the newly expanded risk pool.
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“It’s up to House Republicans to choose the next Speaker”, Pelosi Chief of Staff Drew Hammill said.
