Builders, Ever Hear of the Merkley Amendment?

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009, the Senate by a 60 to 39 vote approved the Patient Protection And Affordable Coverage Act (H.R. 3590). A large bill, as most have undoubtedly heard, was made a bit larger as language requiring small construction firms with more than five workers provide health care coverage or face stiff fines was, according to the National Association of Home Builders, "slipped into the Senate health care legislation at the last minute." That language, more commonly known as the Merkley amendment, requires that employers in the construction industry with over $250,000 in payroll or more than five workers provide health insurance for their employees or pay a penalty.

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