Northampton Mayor Thomas Reenock and Bath Borough Mayor Donald Wunderler were among elected borough officials from around the region who attended a seminar on the Affordable Care Act, also known as "ObamaCare."

As employers of borough personnel, it is important elected officials understand the federal law, said Erica Grimm, vice president for the Pennsylvania Benefits Division of Keystone Insurers Group.

The meeting, sponsored by the Middle Eastern Counties Association of Boroughs, took place in Coplay.

The Affordable Care Act was signed into law March 23, 2010. The Health Care & Education Affordability Act of 2010 was signed into law a week later, on March 30, 2010.

"The intent of the law is to provide every U.S. citizen affordable health insurance through an employer-sponsored plan or on an individual basis," Grimm said.

The law is intended to restrict unfair insurance practices and make it easier for employers and individuals to compare and buy health insurance through exchanges.

Coverage must be offered to dependents up to age 26, Grimm said. The requirement applies before Jan. 1, 2014, only if the adult child is not eligible to enroll in another plan.

Grimm told the group the bigger changes will occur in 2014. The employer shared responsibility "pay or play" is delayed until 2015 and will apply to all employers with 50 or more full-time workers.

The only borough represented by attendees to be affected is Wilson Borough, which will be required to maintain a maximum level of coverage or be subject to fines of $2,000 for each full-time employee, excluding the first 30 full-time employees.

Coverage, Grimm said, is deemed unaffordable if the contribution exceeds 9.5 percent of the household income.

Also postponed until 2015 is the impact of the delay for employers.

Beginning in January 2014, the insurance exchange will open to small businesses.

Other provisions also will apply such as a requirement that new hires not wait more than 90 days for coverage to begin.

Other issues addressed were out-of-pocket maximums that now will not go into effect until 2015.

In addition to Wunderler and Reenock, those attending included MECAB President Gerald C. Yob, Freemansburg; Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra and Coplay Councilman David Royer; North Catasauqua Mayor William J. Molchany Jr.; Coopersburg Councilman Rich Nalichowski; Wilson Borough Councilman Kim McGowan and Wilson Borough Mayor David Perruso.