Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

GCSAA supports the STARS Act – a technical correction bill - to create one definition of seasonal employment in the ACA employer mandate. This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude seasonal employees from the definition of "full-time employee" for purposes of the employer mandate to provide employees with minimum essential health care coverage. The bill defines a "seasonal employee" as an employee who is employed in a position for which the customary annual employment is not more than six months and which requires performing labor or services that are ordinarily performed at certain seasons or periods of the year.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly called the Affordable Care Act or "Obamacare” is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. It represents the most significant regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965. Golf facilities are closely monitoring implementation of the PPACA for any impacts to the bottom line. Golf facilities are preparing for increased administrative and paperwork requirements as they comply with the new mandates. In addition, health care costs will likely increase at golf courses.

Seasonal employers across the golf industry are confused about their obligations to their seasonal employees under the PPACA. Unfortunately, different aspects of the law are based on varying definitions for their seasonal staffers. Currently, there are two different definitions of “seasonal” staffers which must be used and understood when determining whether a business falls under the law and when determining which employers must be offered health insurance. The STARS Act would provide one clear definition of a seasonal staffer, ensuring that seasonal employers have the tools and understanding necessary to comply with the PPACA. The bill does not repeal or defund any provision of the law.

None at this time.