AFFORDABLE CARE ACT: EMPLOYER MANDATE DELAYED UNTIL 2015

Many employers have expressed concern regarding the looming requirement – set forth in the Affordable Care Act – that all employers with more than 50 employees provide health insurance coverage to their workers.  If you are one of those employers, then I have good news for you!

On July 2, 2013, the Obama administration announced that enforcement of the employer mandate will be delayed for one year, until 2015.  This delay should serve to provide employers with additional time to effectively implement the employer mandate requirement, and it should serve to alleviate concerns about the complexity of these new regulations. 

This move has resulted in some criticism of the Obama administration, with commentators questioning whether the administration is up to the task of implementing what is proving to be an extremely large, complex piece of legislation.  For employers, however, this delay should prove to be welcome news. 

If you have questions about this Employment Law Alert or wish to discuss the impact of this decision upon your business, please do not hesitate to contact Maury Nicely at Evans Harrison Hackett PLLC, 423/648-7851 or mnicely@ehhlaw.com.