Speculation. I have seen too many posts stating that employers will drop health coverage and opt for the penalty instead. This is in no way, shape, or form, a fact. Many large companies (50 employees or more in this case) deal with a competitive job market in plenty of industries. Cutting benefits, hours, and overall job security is no way to influence long or short term growth, and in this case, would be counter to their main goals. Many large companies are always going to be looking for the most qualified candidates at their position. The companies cutting benefits and full time employee hours would be severely cutting their potential employee pool, leading to decreased quality and output, and eventually leading to an inferior product/service. I think that people are underestimating employee worth in this case and many of these large companies will in fact continue to provide benefits.
As a student (only 22 years old), the obamacare plan greatly benefits me. Considering that I am in fact, a poor college student, I could never afford my own insurance coverage. Thanks to this plan, I am now covered up until the age of 26, when I will hopefully be self sufficient. I find it funny that many of the republican politicians who oppose obamacare have never had the opportunity to understand the struggles of the less fortunate. Never having to worry about whether they will be able to afford health care because they were born into privilege. The majority of the middle class would have to sacrifice their hard work and lifestyle to afford care for an unexpected illness. Main obamacare opponents can simply pay out of pocket so clearly they can care less. It is just amazing how people could be against a healthcare program for all. It just shows how ***-backwards and selfish people have become. It's unfortunate, but most politicians (democrat or republican) don't understand the struggles of most americans. This is why politics continues to be a crapshoot. The people who represent us simply cannot relate.