Bipartisan push to halt ACA small business rules gains momentum

Modern Healthcare (9/30, Subscription Publication) reports on the momentum building in Congress “to halt an Affordable Care Act mandate requiring employers with 51 to 100 employees to offer plans on the small-group market.” The House on Monday unanimously passed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act, which allows states to choose whether to expand the small-group market to include businesses with up to 100 workers. Observers are waiting to see if the Senate “will follow the House’s lead.” House members “are optimistic that unanimous support will mean quick action, said Paul Kincaid, communications director for Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), a co-sponsor of the bill.”