Repeal the Employer Mandate

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) contains an employer mandate called a “Free Rider Penalty.” In 2014, the law requires employers with 50 or more full-time “equivalent” employees to provide “affordable” insurance to their full-time employees. Employers that fail to do so will likely be assessed a “free rider” penalty.

The U.S. Chamber strongly supports repeal of the employer mandate. Employers want to keep offering insurance to their employees and to grow and prosper. However, the mandate imposes a “one size fits all” requirement on employers, forcing them to offer certain coverage and limiting how much they can charge. This law sends the wrong message by imposing penalties and burdensome regulations on those trying to create jobs, promote growth and rebuild our economy.

By repealing this mandate, we can remove the fear and uncertainty that employers are currently experiencing and allow employers to focus on growth and hiring.