RILA Likes ‘Flexible’ Employer Health Care Regs

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has expressed its satisfaction with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate proposed rules filed today in the Federal Register.

“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,” noted Christine Pollack, VP for government affairs at the Arlington, Va.-based trade group. “Employers are committed to providing their employees with quality and affordable health benefits. Nonetheless, with the law’s effective date less than a year away, employers still face enormous challenges and costs to comply with the health law.”

RILA has worked closely with the Treasury Department and other administration agencies to help shape the complex rulemaking process. Last month in a letter to President Obama, the association pointed out the impact the overdue rules would have on employers. In particular, RILA has maintained that with no time left to reasonably comply with implementation rules, transition relief is necessary to enable employers to adapt existing benefits and develop future benefits in compliance with the law.

“RILA appreciates the inclusion of transition relief in the proposed rules for non-calendar year employer-sponsored health plans,” said Pollack. “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.”