The National Retail Federation (NRF) again called on Congress to repeal the employer mandate in the Affordable Care Act in a sharply worded response to last week's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of another aspect of the law.
“Now that the court has spoken, it is imperative that Congress seize the opportunity and address the most egregious errors in this poorly constructed law to ease unreasonable compliance burdens and reduce the cost of coverage for employers and employees alike,” said David French, senior vice president for government relations for NRF.
“Questions about the effectiveness of the Affordable Care Act persist five years after its enactment. The ACA’s impractical and unworkable regulations and requirements continue to cast a shadow on employer-sponsored health coverage.
“It’s time to repeal the employer mandate, reform or eliminate onerous reporting requirements and restore the traditional 40-hour workweek as the standard for eligibility. Provisions that add to the cost of health care coverage such as the ‘Cadillac Tax’ and the too-extensive ‘essential’ health benefit mandates should also be repealed.
“The Supreme Court decision should provide the pressure needed to thaw out congressional intransigence over health care and pave the way for both parties, Congress and the administration to work together to reform the ACA to make it more practical and reasonable. The nation’s business community will not stand by as partisan bickering trumps prudent changes.
“There are no more excuses for congressional inaction and political posturing. We urge Congress to seize the moment and fix the health care law.”
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the U.S. and more than 45 countries.
