Midsized American businesses now have a one-year delay in implementing Obamacare’s employer mandates. All businesses with more than 50 employees were supposed to provide health care for employees starting in 2015, but now businesses with between 50 and 99 employees have until 2016 to comply. Ninety-six percent of all businesses in the US employ fewer than 50 people; two percent employ more than 100, and two percent fall in this midsized category.

The new regulations also phase in healthcare requirements for larger employers. They must cover 70 percent of their employees by 2015, and 95 percent by 2016.

The IRS and Treasury Departments released the final regulations yesterday. They include clarifications exempting volunteer firefighters and similar positions from the mandate. Perhaps the most controversial piece of the regulations: A full-time worker is defined as anyone who works more than 30 hours a week.

PRP