The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPAC) was to begin in every state by January 1, 2014 but is being delayed one year. Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that there isn’t enough time to develop the SHOP Exchange and have delayed it until 2015. 

Small businesses with 50 or less employees are not subject to the requirements of PPAC but were promised they could benefit with more choice, more protections, standardized coverage, buying power like larger employers and have access to an expanded Small Business Healthcare Tax Credit.   

For more detailed information click on the New York Times article “Small Firm’s Offer of Plan Choices Under Health Law Delayed”