The U.S. House of Representatives May 16 voted 229 –195 to pass H.R. 45, which would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). 

In a letter sent to all members of the House before the vote, ABC offered its support for repeal and advocated for common-sense proposals that will address the skyrocketing costs of health insurance, especially for employer-sponsored plans and the rapidly rising number of uninsured Americans.

“Providing quality health care benefits is a top priority for ABC and its member companies,” ABC wrote. “ABC believes true reform should provide greater choice and affordability and allow private insurers to compete for business.”

ABC pointed out that March 23 marked the third anniversary of the health care law and it continues to create uncertainty and confusion in the construction industry, making it difficult for the nation’s contractors to plan for the future and create jobs.

Beginning in 2014, PPACA mandates that employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees offer a certain level of coverage or be subject to taxes. ABC noted that the increased costs related to this onerous mandate are of significant concern to ABC members.

By forcing employers to offer government-prescribed health insurance, ABC members will no longer have the choice or flexibility to structure health care coverage options that meet the needs of their fluctuating workforce, the letter said. The resulting increased costs will jeopardize the ability of those companies to maintain affordable coverage options for their employees and will force some to drop coverage altogether.

ABC also expressed major concerns about implementation of PPACA’s employer mandate provisions, which will require significant employer education.

In addition to the costly employer mandate tax, PPACA includes the health insurance premium tax (HIT). HIT is one of the law’s largest new taxes that will fall on the backs of small business. This tax is assessed on all health insurance companies based on their “net premiums,” which means it is just another new cost passed along to the customer—small business owners. Estimates show this $87 billion tax could annually cost a minimum of $500 per family.

“ABC strongly supports H.R. 45 which would repeal the massive health care law that has only served to hurt employers and increase premiums for millions of Americans,” ABC concluded.