The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has many provisions that will impact employer-based insurance and union health plans. Some provisions are already effective, while others are not effective until 2014 or 2018. The ACA could potentially impact the next few rounds of contract negotiations for many unions depending on the specific contract expiration dates. The ACA introduces new standards for employer-sponsored health plans, including grandfathered plans, certain changes to plan design, and implementation dates based on the plan's effective date, whether the plan is subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and whether the plan is self-insured or fully-insured. Union negotiators should consider these provisions when negotiating the next round of contracts.
