The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) applauded the Obama Administration for finally publishing proposed rules that will govern the employer mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but repeated its plea for relief for companies unable to meet those requirements by the laws Jan. 1 2014 deadline.
RILA applauds the Treasury Department for including flexible solutions in the proposed rules, which were developed with input from our member companies and the Employers for Flexibility in Health Care Coalition, said Christine Pollack, vice president for government affairs. Employers are committed to providing their employees with quality and affordable health benefits. Nonetheless, with the laws effective date less than a year away, employers still face enormous challenges and costs to comply with the health law.
RILA has engaged closely with the Treasury Department and other administration agencies in an effort to shape the complex rulemaking process. Last month in a letter to President Obama, RILA highlighted the effect the overdue rules would have on employers. Specifically, RILA has argued that with no time left to reasonably comply with implementation rules, transition relief is needed to allow employers to adapt existing benefits and design future benefits to comply with the law.
RILA appreciates the inclusion of transition relief in the proposed rules for non-calendar year employer-sponsored health plans. However, relief is still needed for the employer-sponsored plans that must comply with the law in less than a year. Without it, well-intentioned employers will be subject to a variety of penalties, and coverage for millions of Americans could be jeopardized, said Pollack.
