WASHINGTON —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
Acknowledging that the House bill’s goals of lowering costs and increasing access to care are laudable, the National Restaurant Association, the National Council of Chain Restaurants and the International Franchise Association nonetheless are mounting opposition to funding mechanisms contained in the bill that they say will hurt businesses. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
“Unless portions of the legislation are tailored to reflect the economic and operational realities facing our industry, we will be forced to oppose the bill,” Dawn Sweeney, NRA president and chief executive, said in a letter sent to all members of the House prior to the chamber’s weekend vote. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the House narrowly approved the Affordable Health Care for America Act in a 220-215 vote. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
The House’s passage of the plan, which has an estimated $1 trillion price tag, was hailed as a victory for President Obama, who has made health care reform one of his top domestic priorities. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
Next, the Senate will debate its own version of reform. Reports indicate that a Senate vote may occur as early as Thanksgiving. The House and Senate versions are expected to be reconciled early next year. The NRA anticipates a final vote on the legislation could coincide with President Obama’s State of the Union address next year. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
Restaurant industry groups said they are most opposed to provisions in the House bill that would require employers to offer health benefits to part-time employees or pay a penalty. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
The House bill also requires employers to either provide a qualified benefits plan for employees and their dependents or else pay a percentage of their payroll into a health insurance exchange. Businesses with a payroll of $500,000 or less would not have to pay the penalty. Penalty payments range from 2 percent up to 8 percent, depending on the size of the payroll. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
The House bill further includes provisions for menu labeling. The bill outlines general nutrient-labeling requirements for restaurants and retail establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more outlets. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
In voicing its opposition to the House bill, the IFA claimed the legislation would harm small-business operators. Separately, the NCCR urged lawmakers to oppose the bill “or any subsequent iteration…that includes costly employer mandate or penalty provisions.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
In its letter to House members, the NRA maintained that the foodservice industry is made up largely of small businesses “with an average profit margin of less than 4 percent, and in the current economic environment total industry sales are down considerably over the last two years.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
The NRA said that more than 90 percent of the foodservice industry is made up of small businesses with 50 employees or fewer. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
“Without a broader exemption for small businesses,” the organization said, “as well as consideration for the overwhelming number of part-time employees we have, the bill would place unforeseen hardships on our industry.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
The association asked that the bill’s impact on the foodservice industry be considered “before legislation is finalized through conference.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
Earlier, David French, vice president for government relations of the IFA, said the organization supports health care reform but added that it “cannot support reform at any price.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
While the IFA supports several provisions in H.R. 3962 that make “necessary changes in the insurance market and provide pathways for some small businesses to access affordable coverage,” French said the bill’s $1 trillion price tag raises serious concerns. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
“Much of the revenue necessary for this level of federal spending will come on the backs of small franchise businesses through a series of tax surcharges and penalties,” he said. “The IFA’s longstanding priority is to ensure that health insurance is more affordable for franchise businesses and their employees.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
He also said the IFA is against any federal mandate for employers to provide health coverage and the establishment of a public option “that will, over time, shift costs onto employer-sponsored private insurance coverage.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
French added, “H.R. 3962 is a significant government intrusion into the benefits decisions of employers.” —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
Scott Vinson, the NCCR’s vice president, said in the organization’s letter to House members, the organization hoped that Congress “would provide an excellent opportunity for all stakeholders to work together on a bipartisan, consensus-based approach to bring health care costs down and expand coverage to working Americans who do not currently have it. As you know, health care inflation threatens to price coverage out of reach for employers that currently provide it to their employees, and puts it even further out of reach for employers who would like to do so. —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.
“Regrettably,” the letter continues, “the employer mandates and mandates on coverage in H.R. 3962 will only serve to raise the cost of employer-provided health insurance, worsening an already difficult situation.”— [email protected] —As the House’s health care reform wends its way through the legislative process, several industry groups are working to keep what they deem anti-business provisions in that bill from surfacing in a final version.