There was no fanfare when President Barack Obama signed into law a bipartisan change to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The PACE Act was signed alongside eight other bills on Wednesday evening.
The PACE Act, known in longform as the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, was approved overwhelmingly by Congress last week. It redefines a small employer from one with 50 employees or fewer to an employer with 100 employees or fewer.
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The change was intended to stabilize the group market under the ACA. However, small businesses raised concern the change would mean higher premiums for their employees.
The bill’s Republican co-author, Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) released a statement Thursday praising President Obama for signing the bill. However, Scott remains “committed to a full repeal of the health care law.”
Since 2009, there have been few changes to the healthcare law.