The House took the 114th Congress’s first attempt at altering Obamacare by approving the Save American Workers Act of 2015 on Jan. 8.
The legislation, which received the support of 12 Democrats, raises the Affordable Care Act’s full-time workweek definition to 40 hours from thirty. If enacted, employers would only be required to provide health benefits for workers who work 40 hours or more per week, significantly scaling back the law’s employer mandate. While not a full repeal substitute, ARSA and the business community recognize that as long as the White House is occupied by President Obama, completely scrapping the law is unlikely. Consequently, Congress must enact reforms to the health care law to lessen the burden on employers.
ARSA joined its partners in the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare on a letter urging support for the Save American Workers Act of 2015. The Senate is expected to consider similar legislation in the near future, although the Obama administration has committed to vetoing the bill.
