What does the ACA require of larger employers regarding health insurance?

The Affordable Care Act mandates that larger employers—specifically those with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees—must offer affordable health insurance to their full-time employees. This requirement is intended to ensure that employees have access to necessary health coverage and to reduce the number of uninsured individuals in the population.

Under the ACA, an employer is considered to provide "affordable" coverage if the employee's share of the premium for the lowest-cost self-only plan does not exceed a certain percentage of their household income. This ensures that health insurance is accessible and financially manageable for employees. If employers fail to comply with this requirement, they may be subject to penalties.

The other answer choices do not align with the ACA's stipulations. Employers are not simply allowed to provide insurance only upon employee request, nor are they permitted to opt-out of providing any health insurance altogether. Additionally, the ACA does not specifically mandate that employers subsidize healthcare costs beyond what is required for offering the insurance itself.