On January 8, 2015, the House of Representatives in a 252-172 vote approved a bill that would redefine a full-time worker under the ACA employer mandate from one who works 30 hours a week to one who works 40 hours. Under the ACA’s mandate for employers, which is being phased in beginning this month, businesses with 50 or more employees will be required to offer health insurance to any employee who works at least 30 hours a week, or pay a penalty. Proponents of the bill assert that the change is intended to help employees regain the hours that employers cut to avoid hitting the 30-hour threshold.