NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 2667, the “Authority for Mandate Delay Act” and H.R. 2668, the “Fairness for American Families Act.” These bills would delay for one year the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance mandates for employers and individuals, respectively. Whilethe primary goal of Congress ought to be full repeal of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. “Obamacare”), in the meantime it is imperative for legislators to recognize and address the numerous problems associated with the law.
The Obama Administration acknowledged the detrimental effects that the employer mandate will have on businesses, workers, and the economy at large when it unilaterally elected to delay this provision for one year. With the legality of this move very much in question, the House of Representatives is wisely moving to codify the change by passing H.R. 2667. This would greatly assist – albeit only in the short-term – the many businesses that are already cutting employee hours or jobs as a result of the law.
At the same time that businesses are making difficult staffing decisions, individuals are poised to be hit by Obamacare’s requirement to purchase health insurance. In 2014, the penalty for failing to do so is $285 per family or 1 percent of household income, whichever is greater. By 2016, the penalty jumps to $2,085 per family or 2.5 percent of household income, whichever is greater. As the Supreme Court ruled last year, this penalty is a tax. For many families continuing to struggle due to the weak economy, the burdens from the individual mandate will become increasingly difficult to bear. H.R. 2668 would delay the provision for a year, which would provide much-needed, temporary relief to these families.
Passage of H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668 would help alleviate some of the harmful effects that the Affordable Care Act will impose on businesses and individuals. Enactment of these bills would be an important step toward more significant legislative goals, such as permanent repeal of both mandates and the Affordable Care Act in its entirety.
Roll call votes on H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress and “YES” votes will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700