BINGHAMTON, NY – The SUNY Business and Education Cooperative of the Southern Tier (SUNY BEST) will host a presentation titled "The Affordable Care Act," at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in room 220 at Binghamton University’s Downtown Center, 67 Washington St., Binghamton. This presentation is free and open to the public.

Guest speaker Michelle Catan will provide a basic overview of the Affordable Care Act, as well as examine tax credit available to small businesses, detail the legal mandates for the individuals and small businesses, and provide updated information on insurance plan options within the New York State of Health Marketplace.

Catan is a certified business advisor who has worked with the New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the past two years. She has over 17 years of experience in commercial lending and banking, and owns a small business in Oneonta, NY. Catan holds a degree in Business Economics and Accounting from SUNY Oneonta. She has been certified as a navigator to assist with the New York State of Health Marketplace.

According to the American College of Physicians, a myriad of regulations surround insurance policies for small businesses, "creating a confusing patchwork of rules and regulations that influence the content and cost of small business insurance plans." New legislations and penalties will continue to be introduced until 2020.

Pre-registration for this discussion is required through the SUNY BEST website at http://ceo.binghamton.edu/sunybest. For additional information, e-mail sunybest@binghamton.edu.

Directional signage to the meeting room will be visible for those entering the main entrance of the Downtown Center from Washington St. Parking is available in the Collier Street Ramp, the Water Street Ramp, (both within two blocks of the Downtown Center) or if available, at any of the metered parking spots in front of the building on Washington St.