Originally published in The Journal of South Mississippi Business • July 2012.

Many articles have been written by now on the June 28 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold most of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This column will focus on the provisions of the ACA that affect small businesses, a term defined generally as those for-and non-profit businesses having up to 50 employees.

The ACA does not require small employers to provide health insurance to employees. The Employer Responsibility section of the ACA applies to businesses with more than 50 employees. Each state will determine what insurers are required to cover in small employer plans. For more information on Mississippi’s requirements, contact Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney’s office at www.mid.state.ms.us or at the coast branch office at the Bolton State Office Bulding, 1141 Bayview Avenue, Suite 404, Biloxi, MS 39530, 228 374-2240 or 2241.