Courtney responds to delay of Affordable Care Act employer requirements

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Treasury Department announced that it is delaying for one year the employer responsibility requirements under the Affordable Care Act, which were set to begin January 1, 2014. Under the employer responsibility requirements, large firms with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent (FTEs) employees are required to provide affordable and adequate coverage to their employees. If the large firms do not meet these requirements, they may be subject to an employer penalty.

Congressman Joe Courtney today released the following statement on the one-year delay.

"The Treasury Department's decision to delay employer rules under the Affordable Care Act for firms 50 and above is a prudent response to legitimate questions raised by small businesses trying to calculate part and full-time employees and their respective health insurance obligations. My visits with the Eastern Connecticut and Suffield Chambers of Commerce as well as a town hall forum in Windham in recent weeks, brought forth these concerns which Treasury's delay acknowledged. In the meantime, the 50 percent tax credit for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees and the establishment of small business purchasing exchanges, "SHOP Exchanges," will go forward giving businesses new options to provide coverage for their employees next year. Coverage for dependent children up to age 26, prohibition of pre-existing condition exclusions, and elimination of lifetime limits will be part of a new, improved insurance marketplace for the small group segment that has been hit hardest by health insurance practices under the previous status quo."

"My office will continue its work to stay engaged with Chambers and individual firms over the next six months to provide assistance and information as Connecticut's exchange, Access Health CT, goes on line."