ABA Launches Health Care Reform Webpage

This week, the American Booksellers Association launched a new BookWeb advocacy page focusing on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With the Health Insurance Marketplaces (also known as exchanges) set to open on October 1, 2013, the health care reform page offers state-specific fact sheets that provide key health care reform information and that point booksellers in the right direction if they have further questions or wish to enroll in their state’s exchange.

“The health care reform law is obviously very complex, but key components of the law are soon going into effect,” said ABA Senior Public Policy Analyst David Grogan, who added  that, by law, most business owners must inform their employees about their responsibilities under ACA no later than October 1. “Bookstore owners will no doubt be getting questions from their employees about the new law. The fact sheets will provide our membership with some guidance as to what is expected and, importantly, how they could potentially benefit from ACA. As the law is implemented, we expect the fact sheets to evolve to account for any key changes that may affect employees or business owners.”

The fact sheets provide details as to what exchange a bookseller will be using and the link to the pertinent website; whether the state is expanding Medicaid; as well as general health benefits and tax incentives for business owners. The sheets will also be available at ABA’s health care reform session, “Health Care Reform and the Bookstore: How It Affects You Now” at each regional trade show.

To find your state’s fact sheet, visit the new Health Care Reform page on BookWeb.org. (You will need a BookWeb user name and password to access the documents.)