New blow for Obama health law

President Barack Obama's health care law suffered a new blow Monday, as his administration delayed a key component requiring small businesses to provide insurance to employees or face a fine.

The decision was the latest glitch to Obama's signature domestic achievement which has been plagued by political attacks and a disastrous debut for a sign-up website.

Department of Treasury officials writing rules for the Affordable Care Act decided that business with fewer than 100 workers but more than 50 would have an extra year—until 2016 to offer health care to employees or face a fine.

The requirement, known as the employer mandate had already been put off by one year.

"While about 96 percent of employers are not subject to the employer responsibility provision, for those employers that are, we will continue to make the compliance process simpler and easier to navigate," said Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Mark Mazur.

Firms with over 100 will get more time to complete the insurance process but will still have to start paying a fine for some workers in 2015 if they fail to offer to workers.

Republicans seized on the new adjustment to the law to accuse Obama of usurping his powers to cover up for what they see as the 's failure.

"The White House seems to have a new exemption from its failed law for a different group every month," said Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate.

"It's time to extend that exemption to families and individuals—not just businesses."

Republicans are making controversy over the law the centerpiece of the campaign to win mid-term elections, in the hope of taking back the Senate.

As well as the website debacle, Obamacare was also hit by the president's now discredited promise that if Americans liked their existing plans and doctors they could keep them.

Obama however argues that after early glitches, the law is gathering pace.

He says nine million people have now signed up for new insurance policies or joined an expanded Medicaid program for the poor.

He also touts reforms that now prevent private firms from turning away patients with pre-existing conditions from taking out new policies.

Children of policy holders who are not in full time work can now remain on plans held by their parents until the age of 26.

© 2014 AFP

Citation: New blow for Obama health law (2014, February 10) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-02-obama-health-law.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Obama comes out fighting on health care

 shares

Feedback to editors