Federal government releases additional proposed regulations under the Affordable Care Act.

With the 2012 election behind it and Speaker of the House stating that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) is the “law of the land,” the Obama Administration has pushed forward with health care reform by releasing new proposed regulations on November 20, 2012. The newly proposed regulations provide guidance on wellness program provisions under the PPACA, nondiscrimination for people with preexisting conditions, and the long awaited meaning of “essential health benefits.” The new regulations would be effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.