Action Alerts Pass the ABLE Act in the 113th Congress Disability Programs: Taxes Matter Major Events Last Week Health Care – Affordable Care Act Employer Mandate Delayed for One Year On July 2, The White House announced that they will be delaying the employer shared responsibility provisions, a key part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Before this announcement, businesses with more than 50 workers were required to provide affordable health insurance beginning in 2014, or face a financial penalty per employee. Now, employers will not face penalties if they do not provide health insurance in 2014. The decision is intended give employers more time to comply with the new rules and to set up the communication infrastructure needed to comply with the law and properly assess penalties. At the same time, the Administration indicates that the new health insurance exchanges, or marketplaces, will still begin enrollment on time. For more information, see Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement Valerie Jarrett’s blog post. Health Care – House Committees Plan Hearings on Health Law Delay House Republicans are questioning the Administration’s decision to delay the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate for a year. The Energy and Commerce Committee is giving the Administration until July 17 to produce documents that shed light on the decision to temporarily suspend the mandate. In addition, the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee plans to hold a hearing on Wednesday (July 10) on the Administration’s decision to delay the employer mandate and the employer information reporting requirements under the Affordable Care Act. Announcements Congress The Congress is returning from its Independence Day recess. |