January 7, 2015

Donnelly Proposes Changing Affordable Care Act To Redefine Full-Time Workers

Donnelly Proposes Changing Affordable Care Act To Redefine Full-Time Workers

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly says changing the Affordable Care Act to redefine full-time workers is a common sense change that will put more money back in Hoosiers’ paychecks. 

The federal healthcare law defines full-time as working 30 hours a week. Donnelly says that has created an unintended consequence where some employers have reduced workers’ hours to avoid the requirement to provide health insurance.

“So at a time when we’re trying to encourage the creation of more, good-paying jobs, this definition is reducing the take-home pay for many Americans,” Donnelly said.

The bill, which Donnelly is co-sponsoring with Maine Republican Susan Collins, defines full-time as 40 hours a week, a change expected to add $53 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years. 

President Obama has already threatened to veto a similar bill in the House.  Donnelly says if his bill passes, he hopes the White House reconsiders its position.

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