Final answer:
COBRA requires employers with at least 20 employees to offer continuation of health insurance coverage after certain qualifying events. The ACA employer mandate, which requires providing initial insurance coverage, applies to employers with more than 50 employees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) requires that employers with at least 20 employees must offer continuation of health insurance coverage to employees and their families after certain events that would otherwise result in a loss of coverage. This might occur in situations such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, and other life events. COBRA coverage is typically expensive because the beneficiary pays the full premium that was previously subsidised by the employer, along with a small administrative fee.
Contrary to COBRA, it's important to note that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, includes an employer mandate that applies to organizations with more than 50 employees. This mandate requires such employers to offer health insurance to their full-time employees and their dependents, or else face potential penalties. This is different from COBRA which does not require an employer to offer initial insurance, but rather to continue the existing coverage under certain conditions after an employee has left the company or experienced a qualifying event.