Newsletter
Statement
In late February, I sent out an eNewsletter on how Obamacare's 30-hour provision is affecting part-time workers all across this country, including those Hoosiers working for small businesses, restaurants, retailers, school districts and community colleges like Ivy Tech. In short, by requiring employers to provide insurance to employees working 30 hours or more, Obamacare has essentially cost part-time workers their hours, but more importantly their wages. This increasing number of "Obamacare 29ers" has become a serious problem, and it's time that lawmakers, irrespective of their political investments in the President's healthcare law, address this issue.
This is exactly why I introduced the bipartisan supported H.R. 2575, Save American Workers (SAW) Act, which I'm proud to say passed the House this week by a vote of 248-179!
Obamacare 29ers
When I travel around the 9th District, I hear numerous concerns from employees about losing their wages as a result of Obamacare's 30-hour rule. These concerns have been affirmed by employers who have reached out to members of Congress, stating that they'll be unable to sustain their operations and simultaneously provide their part-time employees with health insurance. Thus, the only option is to reduce the hours of part-time workers to below 30 hour per week, all in order to comply with Obamacare.
So what are the actual consequences of the 30-hour provision? Well the math is actually quite simple. If you work 36 hours a week at $13.66 an hour, and Obamacare's 30-hour rule reduces you to 29 hours a week, you'll have a loss of 28 hours a month, or about $5,000 a year. For hardworking American families just trying to get by, this is a heavy burden in an already down economy.
Restoring Middle Class Working Wages
As many have suggested, including the President, there is very little hope that Republicans and Democrats will come to an agreement on the merits of Obamacare. While I still maintain that the law is fundamentally flawed and ultimately unworkable, I believe we must find common ground to correct some of the many adverse effects of the President's healthcare law. The Save American Workers act is one of these solutions.
First and foremost, American part-time workers do not want their wages reduced, regardless of their position on Obamacare. Reduced wages take away workers' ability to provide for their families and cover basic living costs. So to ensure that part-time workers do not take another hit, this week the House passed the widely supported SAW Act on a bipartisan vote.
Going Forward
We now need Senate Democrats to acknowledge Obamacare's harmful 30-hour provision, the benefits of the SAW Act, and subsequently help push this bill forward. Moreover, the President must ultimately do the same in order to help our American workers. Right now, I remain cautiously optimistic that the Senate will take up this legislation, but it's crucial that Americans continue to contact their representatives to explain how the 30-hour provision will affect them, their friends and families.
Noteworthy: Senator Susan Collins, joined by original cosponsor Senator Joe Donnelly, has already introduced companion legislation to the SAW Act, called the Forty Hours Is Full Time Act. I applaud them for their efforts and look to their leadership on moving this legislation forward.
If you or someone you know has been adversely affected by any part of the President's healthcare law, I encourage you to contact me. Additionally, if you have any questions about the Save American Works Act, please reach out to our office.
Yours in Service,
Todd
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