(April 4, 2014) The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday, April 3, on an AH&LA-endorsed bill that would change the definition of a “full-time” employee under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from 30 hours back to the conventional 40 hours. Eighteen Democrats voted with Republicans to pass the legislation.

The Save American Workers Act (H.R. 2575), introduced by Congressman Todd Young (R-IN), attracted more than 200 bipartisan co-sponsors and represents an important change to the ACA to better reflect current employment practices and provide employees with the flexible work options they desire.

Changing the healthcare law’s full-time definition back to the traditional 40 hours has been one of AH&LA’s priorities since the health care law was passed in 2010. For AH&LA members, the law’s 30-hour definition of full-time would severely restrict the scheduling flexibility that millions of workers value in the lodging industry. AH&LA strongly supported and called on members to contact their representatives in support of this critical legislation.