collaborative approach, getting involved with committees and groups to try to fi nd acceptable compromises. But at all levels, they are working to advance the interests of the print industry. The Election Before we take a closer look at some of those issues, it is fi rst important to note that the election will have a major impact on the industry moving forward, no matter which party or candidate is elected into offi ce. While, as of this writing, it is still too early to tell who the nominees will be—much less who will win—a new administration always brings changes. If the Republican party gains the White House, then the policy goals and emphasis of the country will likely radically change, as the Democrats have been in offi ce for the past eight years. But even if a Democratic candidate is elected, there will still be change. For the past eight years, for example, one of the Obama Administration’s focuses has been on greenhouse gas admissions, and on reducing our collective environmental footprint. He has mandated federal offi ces fi nd ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and has made it a very strong priority. While it is unlikely either party would completely reverse those changes, even a new Democrat in the White House will very likely have diff erent issues they consider top priority. The Affordable Care Act Perhaps the biggest piece of legislation that lawmakers and industry lobbyists are still trying to work out is the Patient Protection and Aff ordable Care Act, also known as the ACA. It’s hard to believe, but this bill was signed into law in 2010, and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012—the bill itself is now six years old. However, it is still a matter of controversy in Congress, and implementation of some aspects of the bill have continued to be pushed off . Marci Kinter, SGIA’s vice president, Government & Business Information, noted that the provisions that required every individual to have health insurance— and for any company with more than 50 employees to provide a health plan—continues to be a major issue that the industry is facing. NPES, in fact, notes that it was part of a group that helped delay the implementation of one of the more onerous parts of the bill—one imposing a 40 percent tax on “high cost” employer provided health insurance—by two years, buying the industry and employers more time to hammer out the details of exactly when and where it should be applied, and how that will impact business. PIA has also made the ACA one of its priorities, noting President Barack Obama signs commutation letters in the Oval Offi ce. (Offi cial White House Photo by Pete Souza.) 24 Printing News ® June 2016 PrintingNews®com
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