The Affordable Care Act requires Americans to have health insurance beginning next year or pay a penalty, and health exchanges will begin open enrollment on Oct. 1. With those dates fast approaching, government officials have stepped up efforts to squelch fears and clear up confusion regarding the health reform law. After meeting with Obama administration officials last week, Kristie Arslan, chief executive officer of the National Association for the Self-Employed, talked to me about how Obamacare is likely to affect independent workers. An edited transcript of our conversation follows.
What’s most significant about the upcoming requirements for self-employed workers?
