Share |

Association for Retail Technology Standards
National Council of Chain Restaurants
Loss Prevention (LPInformation.com)
Retail Advertising and Marketing Association
Community of Online and Multichannel Retailers
STORES Media, Knowledge Series, and more
NRF Foundation Research & Education
Forum for International Retail Association Executives

News

Restaurants Image: Text decoration - bullet

March 22, 2011

NCCR Remains Concerned on First Anniversary of Health Care Law

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Green (202) 783-7971
greenr@nccr.net

NCCR Remains Concerned on First Anniversary of Health Care Law

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2011 – The National Council of Chain Restaurants issued the following statement from Executive Director Rob Green to mark tomorrow’s anniversary of the signing of last year’s health care reform law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010.

“On the one-year anniversary of enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the National Council of Chain Restaurants remains concerned about the continuing challenges posed by the onerous obligations the law imposes on restaurant companies and their small business franchisees. Many unanswered questions about the impact of the health care law remain, including uncertainty over whether it will stay on the books given recent constitutional challenges. What is clear, however, is the reality that the law’s most harmful provisions uniquely impact chain restaurants relative to other industries.

“Chief among the chain restaurant industry’s priorities is a desire to repeal the employer mandate, which will force many restaurant companies to reduce workers’ hours at a time when unemployment remains stubbornly high and many workers are already underemployed. Unfortunately, the costly employer mandate will do nothing to lower the cost of providing medical care, which should be the number one goal of any responsible health care reform effort. In addition to repealing the employer mandate, Congress should also make clear that a full-time worker is defined as an individual who works 40 hours per week.

“Short of actual repeal, there are several other significant provisions of the law which should be changed. Waiting periods should be established at a minimum of 120 days, ensuring that health coverage is extended to employees who intend to stay with an employer and who are not merely seasonal. Similarly, the law’s auto-enrollment provision should be either eliminated or applied to take effect after at least 120 days.

“It is important to note that the chain restaurant industry has sought health care reforms for several years. Responsible and lasting reform, however, should prioritize lowering costs first, so that coverage can be provided by as many employers as possible. NCCR is continuing to work with policymakers to advocate for common sense reforms to lower the cost of providing health coverage to employees, and we look forward to working with the Congress and the Obama Administration to achieve that result.”

The National Council of Chain Restaurants is the leading trade association exclusively representing chain restaurant companies. For more than 40 years, NCCR has worked to advance sound public policy that best serves the interests of restaurant businesses and the millions of people they employ. NCCR members include many of the country’s most well-respected quick-service and casual-dining establishments. NCCR is a division of the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade group. www.nccr.net

###

Email to Friend | Printer Friendly

Subscribe to the NRF News Feed