Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or colloquially as “Obamacare,” was signed into law in March of 2010 with the goal of increasing the quality and affordability of health insurance for millions of Americans.
While the Act’s employer shared responsibility payments will not apply until 2015, and in some cases, not until 2016, there are provisions and safe harbors to consider and decisions that can be made now that may help businesses, employees and a business’s bottom line. Further, there are many unintended consequences arising out of the ACA that business owners, both large and small, need to consider when administering health care arrangements.
We are carefully following the developments associated with the roll-out of ACA and are providing counsel to business owners and other professionals, helping them to address compliance issues, evaluate exposure to penalties and other tax issues as well as planning strategically for the future.
Affordable Care Act Articles
Stuck in Litigation Over a Non-Compete Agreement with Time Ticking? Know Your Rights and Liabilities
It seems like a simple notion: a restrictive covenant only works if it takes effect during the time period mandated by the covenant. For instance, a two-year covenant not-to-compete must be declared enforceable and take effect within the two-year time frame....
Missouri Legislature Endorses the “Motivating Factor” Standard for Workplace Discrimination
By a vote of 89-68, the Missouri House of Representatives today approved a bill that would have a substantial impact on workplace discrimination cases. House Bill 1219 would essentially dismantle the Missouri Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) and substantially increase the...
Companies Should Take Immediate Action to Preserve Electronically Stored Information upon Notice of a Lawsuit
A recent decision by the Western District of Tennessee imposed sanctions on a company for inadequately preserving electronically stored information (“ESI”) after notice of a lawsuit against the company. The holding seems to be in line with the recent trend of other...
Property Ownership by Pass Through Entity
Despite the downturn in the economy, many individuals may see being a landlord as an easy money maker, but there are things that should be considered prior to entering into that first lease. One of the first considerations is whether the property should be owned in a...