On December 24, 2009 the Senate passed H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, by a vote of 60-39.  On March 21, 2010, the House passed the same bill by a vote of 219-212. On March 21st, the House also passed H.R. 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010, by a vote of 220-211.  This bill made modifications to PL 111-148.  The Senate slightly amended the bill and passed it on March 25, 2010 by a vote of 56-43.  Later that evening, the House passed H.R. 4872 as modified by the Senate by a vote of 220-207. 

What is reconcilliation?     Description of the reconcillation process.

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law (P.L. 111-148 ). This was followed on March 30, 2010, with the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, to modify the first Act.

The result is an extensive and complex health care reform law aimed at expanding access to health care coverage for millions of Americans. The new law imposes many new requirements on individuals and employers. Most of the key provisions take effect starting in 2014, such as the requirement that large employers either provide health care coverage for their full-time employees or pay a penalty, as well as insurance-market reforms and requirements for individuals to purchase insurance. In the interim, employers will be affected by several other provisions of the law. 

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has begun an economic impact study to better understand its consequences.

Also, the NRA has provided a summary of the health care reform law as  This document is meant to provide an overview of the law. While it has been reviewed by counsel, nothing in this document should be considered legal advice.

View Health Care Reform  Summary

View Health Care Reform Advisory 11/29/10

View Health Care Reform Advisory 8/23/11

View Medicare Part D Notification 9/27/11