Retailers Say Disappointment Over Failed Obamacare Vote Will ‘Fuel Our Push’ for Improvements

Business Wire

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The National Retail Federation said retailers remain committed to fixing Obamacare despite the failure of a “skinny” repeal bill in the Senate early today.

“It was very disappointing to come so close on even a limited bill but we will use our disappointment to fuel our push on incremental improvements that will lead to a better health care law,” NRF Vice President for Health Care Policy Neil Trautwein said. “While repeal remains the ultimate goal, there are many ways to reduce the burdens of this flawed law for the benefit of employers and workers alike. This fight is far from over.”

Trautwein said the Affordable Care Act continues to adversely influence staffing patterns, discourage full-time employment and drive up consumer prices.

NRF opposed enactment of the ACA in 2010 and has worked since then to reduce cost burdens and ease compliance requirements. Among other changes, NRF has sought to restore the definition of “full-time” workers who large company must provide with health insurance to 40 hours a week rather than 30, to fix reporting requirements and roll back ACA taxes.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.