Ayotte Backs Bill to Delay Individual Mandate Whenever Employer Mandate is Delayed

Press Release

Continuing her efforts to provide New Hampshire residents with relief from Obamacare, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) is cosponsoring legislation that would automatically delay the individual mandate penalty whenever the administration delays the employer mandate. With the administration having delayed or modified the president's health care law at least 20 times already, the "Freeing Americans from Inequitable Requirements (FAIR) Act," introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), would help ensure that individuals get the same relief that the president has given to businesses.

"I hear every day from New Hampshire citizens who are losing their doctors, losing their coverage or having to pay more for it," said Senator Ayotte. "It's not fair for the administration to grant a reprieve to businesses but not give that same relief to individuals who are struggling under this unworkable law. This legislation levels the playing field."

In the past year, the Obama Administration has delayed or modified the Affordable Care Act at least 20 times - but individuals are still on the hook for complying with the new law's coverage mandate. On February 10, 2014, the administration once again delayed the employer mandate until 2016 for employers who have between 50 and 99 full-time employees. Last July, the administration delayed until 2015 the requirement that employers with at least 50 full-time employees provide health coverage for their full-time workers or risk paying a penalty.

Senator Ayotte backs numerous pieces of legislation to repeal or delay Obamacare. In addition to the FAIR Act, she is a cosponsor of legislation introduced by Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) that would delay both the individual and employer mandate.

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