Affordable Care Act (ACA)
To the editor:
I am writing to express my concern with a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), scheduled to take effect in 2016, that will have serious consequences for Maine’s small business community, and, therefore, our state’s economy.
In 2016, the federal government will change the definition of small group market from 1 to 50 employees to 1 to 100. No studies or actuarial reviews have been done to determine the impact of this change on the cost of health care insurance or its impact on employment.
The ACA did give states the ability to expand their definition beyond 50 employees beginning in 2014, but not one state has done so. And the reason they have not is simple, this change will lead to premium increases and force many employees to change health care plans.
I am writing to ask that you support H.R. 1624. This bill gives states the ability to expand the size definition if they determine it is necessary, but does not force them to do so. In a state like Maine who’s economy depends on its small business sector, that option is truly critical.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue for working so hard for Maine people and businesses each and every day. We all need to stand together.
Cathy Bouchard-Martin
Caribou
