First, you must understand that this organization lobbies Congress like many others. But, it is not left wing or right wing. Being representatives of thousands of electrical contractors and suppliers, both large and small, they lobby both parties for the betterment of the industry. So, in that context what I'm about to show you from their email is not partisan. It simply states the facts as they are.
This ruling by the Supreme Court didn't catch anybody by surprise. NECA was prepared to relay to all of its members what to expect, as employers, no matter how the decision turned out. Here is a word for word copy of some of that email.
"Impact of the Decision on NECA Contractors: Same Today as Yesterday
The bottom line for NECA contractors is that unfortunately nothing has changed. NECA contractors must continue to locally plan to comply with the requirements of the ACA that will take effect in 2012 through 2014.
The following taxes that were included in the ACA remain and will potentially have a negative financial impact on NECA.
*Applies to all NECA contractors: A 3.8% surtax on investment income earned in households making at least $250,000 ($200,000 single). Effective 2013, this provision may make it harder for employers to raise capital in order to create jobs and expand business operations. This would result in the following top tax rates on investment income:
*Applies to all NECA contractors: Employers are required to provide employees with a summary of benefits and coverage explanation of benefits and coverage explanation prior to enrollment, re-enrollment upon request, or upon a mid-year material modification. This requirement applies to insured and self-funded group health plans, regardless of grandfathered status, and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage.
*Applies to all NECA Contractors: Beginning January 1, 2013, employees' contributions to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) will be limited to $2,500 per tax year with annual inflation increases.
*Applies to NECA contractors with 50 or more employees: Effective in 2014, if an employer that does not offer health coverage, and has at least one employee who qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $2000 for all full-time employees. If any employee actually receives coverage through the exchange, the penalty on the employer for that employee is increased to $3000. If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer)."
Notice that the email mentions how investment income will be taxed at such higher rates than the current rates that it may make it harder for employers to raise the necessary capital for business expansion and job creation. This is reality, not spin from either party. One of the reasons the economy has been so slow is because business owners have not known how much the cost of business was going to really cost under Obamacare. They have been waiting to see. Well, now we know. If you think the economy is slow now, just wait.
I can tell you that I've sat in meeting rooms with other electrical contractors who are going to retire because of this. They are all able to retire, but would have probably worked many more years had it not been for this Marxist push by the Obama administration to "level the playing field". What leveling the playing field really means is, dragging everybody down to the same level of mediocrity.
What will this "healthcare-for-everyone" really accomplish? A 21 year old in great shape who may not want insurance will have to pay for it or pay the "penalty", which was confirmed by the Supreme Court to be a tax. He will pay for the couch potato diabetic who does nothing but lay on his backside watching TV all day.
People like my parents who have worked hard their whole lives and have earned their healthcare benefits, will wait in longer lines than ever to see doctors because rationing will occur. This is not just my opinion; it's just plain common sense. If more patients enter the already overcrowded medical arena, it follows that it will take longer to get in to see their doctors.
I urge EVERYONE who takes time to read this article to vote for people who will repeal Obamacare and come up with a better plan than this.
Storeytime
