Employers can’t make new hires wait more than 90 days for coverage in the company’s health care plan.

The new limit is in government rules that carry out a section of President Barack Obama’s health care Law. The Labor Department issued the rules Thursday. It could make a difference as the economy gets stronger and more jobs open up.

The Kaiser Family Foundation says nearly 80 percent of workers face a waiting period before coverage takes effect. Most don’t have to wait as long as 90 days. The average wait is under two months, but 30 percent have to wait three months or more.

The new rule takes effect in 60 days.

(AP)