Some larger businesses may be letting out a collective sigh ofrelief now that they have more time to comply with the PatientProtection and Affordable Care Act provision that requires them toprovide health care coverage to their employees.

The White House said Tuesday that it is extending the compliance deadline for employers with 50 or more employeesfrom 2014 to 2015 so that they can test the new reporting systemsand make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits.

“This delay will give all of us enough time to work through themany issues and provisions that will be in effect for 2014 andbeyond,” said Sherry Campbell, benefits consultant and chiefoperating officer for CU Benefits Alliance, a Salem, Ore.-based CUSO owned by 18credit unions. “This delay will give us some relief in efforts tomeet all the timelines of the legislation.”