RILA to Obama: Release Employer Healthcare Regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a letter sent to the White House this week, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) President Sandy Kennedy urged President Barack Obama to direct his administration to issue proposed health care regulations affecting nearly 170 million Americans currently receiving employer-sponsored health coverage.

"President Obama repeatedly assured Americans that if they liked their health insurance, they could keep it. However, today, with less than a year and a half until the law takes effect and no meaningful implementation guidelines available for employers, those assurances are in doubt," Kennedy stated.

According to the letter, since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Arlington, Va.-based RILA and its member companies have held many constructive conversations with, and provided policy recommendations to, regulators. But employers haven't yet received regulations necessary to comply with the law's numerous requirements.

The retail industry has expressed the concern that burdensome, inflexible regulations may provide no time for implementation and prevent employers from continuing to offer quality, affordable health care.

"While retailers are committed to continuing to provide health coverage to their employees, overregulation jeopardizes their ability to do so," Kennedy warned in the letter, calling on the Administration to "recognize the unique challenges facing retailers, and not issue regulations that hinder [their] ability to maintain flexible work options and affordable health coverage for their employees."

Kennedy added that the organization would continue to raise its health care concerns with the Administration to arrive at a workable solution.