WASHINGTON The National Restaurant Association applauded “key improvements” in the Senate health care reform package on Monday, particularly several business-friendly provisions that it says will help protect jobs and small businesses.
Senators voted early Monday morning to end debate on the package of revisions to the $871 billion health care bill. The Democratic leadership says the bill is on track for passage on Thursday, which is Christmas Eve. If passed in the Senate, the bill then must be reconciled with the House’s version of the health care reform bill.
Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive of the NRA, called the bill’s part-time worker exemption “of critical importance” to the foodservice industry. “This recognition addresses the nature of our business model and is essential for our ability to continue to create jobs …” she said.
The NRA also praised the Senate for its retention of the ERISA, or Employee Retirement Insurance Security Act, framework, which enables larger, multi-state employers to continue to offer health care coverage to employees.
Sweeney said the association also voiced support for Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., whose amendment helps to further clarify the definition of a full-time employee in the health care legislation. “Yet,” Sweeney added, “we remain concerned that greater progress is need to best reflect the seasonality and demographics of our industry.”
In addition, she thanked Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., for their amendment that would extend the waiting period for new hires. She added that while the bill currently includes a waiting period of 60 days, “we hope to expand the time period to 90 days.”
See previous coverage of the Senate bill here, and previous coverage of the House bill here.
Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].
