BIRMINGHAM, MICH. – Clark Hill PLC attorney Kristi R. Gauthier will participate in the Small Business Association of Michigan’s (SBAM) live webinar, “Supreme Court of the United States – Discussion Regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” June 29. The webinar will explore the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the Act and the impact the decision will have on individuals and organizations.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, beginning in 2014, individuals who do not comply with the mandate must pay a penalty to the Internal Revenue Service with their taxes. The Court held that the Act’s individual mandate is a constitutional exercise of Congress's power to tax and therefore the Court did not need to decide the constitutionality of any other provisions of the Act, with the exception of the provision that required states to comply with new eligibility requirements for Medicaid or risk losing their funding. Aside from limiting this Medicaid provision, the Court upheld all other provisions in PPACA.

Gauthier is a senior attorney in Clark Hill’s Labor & Employment Practice Group in the Firm’s Birmingham office. She specializes in employee benefit law and has represented clients in a wide variety of employee benefits issues involving health and welfare benefits, and retirement plans. Gauthier has presented on various employee benefits issues before, including ERISA compliance, COBRA and IRS plan correction programs. In addition, Gauthier is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Employee Benefits Committee.

SBAM is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community. Founded in 1969, SBAM is located in Lansing, Mich., and provides programs and services to improve the business climate and conditions for small businesses across the state.

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Clark Hill PLC is a full service law firm that provides business legal services, government & public affairs, and personal legal services to our clients throughout the country. With offices in Michigan, Illinois, Washington, DC and Arizona, Clark Hill has more than 200 attorneys and professionals. For more information on our firm and our services, visit www.clarkhill.com.