ERISA: House GOP Plan for Repealing & Replacing ACA Leaves Employers in Limbo

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The ERISA Industry Committee issued the following statement by James Gelfand, Senior Vice President of Health Policy on house Grand Old Party plan for repealing & replacing the Affordable Care Act leaves employers in limbo:

"Today's policy brief from Republicans in the United States House of Representatives was disappointing as it does nothing to clear up questions about the GOP's plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act or explain how it will be paid for.

"The employer-sponsored health care system provides health benefits to more than 178 million Americans. It is imperative that lawmakers not threaten those benefits with taxes, through either the 'Cadillac tax' or a cap on the individual tax exclusion for employer-provided health benefits. Taxing health benefits would only force employers to scale back what benefits they offer, passing more costs on to employees. Until Republicans release an actual detailed plan, that includes a breakdown of the taxes that will be required to pay for the GOP's program, it's fair to assume that the heavy financial burden will be placed on the backs of hard working Americans. After all, last year's House GOP health reform 'blueprint' mentioned only one revenue stream to pay for the plan - a tax on benefits.

"As the only national association that advocates exclusively for large employers on health, retirement, and compensation public policies at the federal, state, and local levels, ERIC is committed to working with Congress to repeal the 'Cadillac tax', and preventing efforts to cap the individual tax exclusion for employer-provided health benefits.

"Employers voluntarily provide these benefits to their employees, retirees, and their families, because they understand the importance of a healthy workforce. Congress should acknowledge that investment, and ensure that their plan will not dismantle this successful system."

[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]

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