NAMA signed a letter of support for H.R. 3419, known as “Small Business Fairness in Obamacare Act,” announced Eric Dell, NAMA SVP of government affairs.
The Small Business Fairness in Obamacare Act was introduced in the U.S. House in October by Rep. Jack Kingston (Ga.-1). The bill seeks to change the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) definition of “large employer” to exempt any small business that falls within the meaning of Section 3 of the Small Business Act. This section of small business law, which has been in effect for decades, defines small businesses based on industry sector rather than the ACA’s current “one-size fits all” definition. In addition, the bill would change the ACA’s established number of hours for a full-time employee from 30 to 40, which comports with the generally accepted principle that full-time employment consists of 40 hours per week.
“This important bill would relieve small businesses from the burdens associated with the health insurance mandate under the ACA,” said Dell, in a prepared statement. “As the coalition letter states, small businesses have incentives to offer affordable benefits to their employees, including healthcare benefits, which attracts and retains a talented and loyal workforce. The prospect of additional health care costs, however, can be the difference when considering hiring new employees or maintaining existing ones, which is an unfair and difficult decision for small businesses to have to make,” he continued.
“We certainly support Rep. Kingston’s effort and leadership in introducing this important bill that will protect the engine of America’s economy – small businesses,” Dell concluded.
