CBS reported Wednesday on the delay until 2015 of a key provision of Obamacare mandating businesses with more than 50 employees provide health insurance, calling it a "major setback" and a shift in the official line on the president's signature legislation that passed without any Republican support.
"This requirement was one of the more controversial provisions in the whole massive health care law, and the Obama administration has gotten an earful about it," reporter Jan Crawford said. "Small businesses were threatening layoffs to avoid having to comply with the provision. All of that of course raising concerns the health care law was going to hurt workers and the economy."
Calling it a "major concession in what is considered the president's signature achievement," the report discussed how this delay stood in contrast to Obama's recent declaration that "it's important for us to recognize and acknowledge this is working the way it's supposed to."
However, concerns about the health care law have been rampant since its passage. Supporters and foes of Obamacare with small businesses have already laid off workers to get below the 50-employee requirement.
CBS political director John Dickerson called it "not good" for the Obama administration.
"It sort of contributes to the feeling that the Affordable Care Act is a jalopy they're trying to roll out of the driveway here at barely operational for the president," he said.
Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.), according to Fox News, seized on the delay as a "clear admission" that the law is "unaffordable, unworkable and unpopular."
"It's also a cynical political ploy to delay the coming train wreck associated with ObamaCare until after the 2014 elections," he said.
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R., Va.) said Tuesday the "best delay for Obamacare is a permanent one."