Would you please help me understand how the new healthcare laws will work?

I admit to knowing little about these changes. One of the things I do understand is that if an employer has 50 or more employees, then that employer has to provide health insurance for said employees. Does this mean that the employer actually has to pay for the insurance him/herself? Or does that employer simply have to pay to have the insurance plan in place and then employees sign up for the coverage, which they then pay for, either in part or in full?

I have to wonder how I will benefit from this plan? I’m 48 years old, I’m single, I have no children and I work as an independent contractor so that I am no one’s “employee”. I have also been without health insurance for the five years since my divorce and face a myriad of health problems. Does this mean that I will be left behind as far as health insurance? Just because I make money does not mean that I make the exorbitant amount required to pay for monthly healthcare on my own.

Any thoughts, please?