Obamacare mandate for employers pushed to 2015, GOP renews battle for repeal or rework of law

The Obama administration pushed the implementation of the employer mandate again, this time to 2015, well after the midterm elections.

Now Republicans renewed their calls to delay or repeal Obamacare, noting the administration is helping big businesses but punishing individuals.

“Once again, the president is giving a break to corporations while individuals and families are still stuck under the mandates of his health care law. And, once again, the president is rewriting law on a whim,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement. “If the administration doesn’t believe employers can manage the burden of the law, how can struggling families be expected to?”

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said the announcement is only “further evidence that the health care law is hurting the economy.”

The new deal will let employers with 50 to 99 employees off the hook in 2015.

They’ll be required to report on how many workers are covered but will have until 2016 before being required to cover full-time staff or pay a penalty. Americans would still be required to obtain health insurance through what’s known as the individual mandate.

Under the changes, employers with 100 or more workers will be required to provide health insurance to full-time staff next year. However, the new rules will only require them to cover 70 percent of workers at first; and then 95 percent the following year and beyond.

“It’s time we give every American the same relief from the law that the President has granted to businesses by working toward a legislative solution to delay Obamacare for everyone,” said House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy.

“Where is the relief for American families who are suffering from this law?” asked Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.). “By providing more relief for employers without doing the same for individuals, the President is again sending the message that businesses deserve favorable treatment over the hardworking American people.”

President Barack Obama meets with senior advisors in the Roosevelt Room. 2/16/09. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza