Below find statements from a variety of employer groups on the need for reform proposals to better address the issue of health care costs:
National Association of Manufacturers:
However, the NAM remains deeply concerned that the Senate Finance Committee’s bill overall will add costs to the health care system and, by extension, the manufacturing community, on top of the already spiraling costs manufacturers and their employees face today.
Specifically, we believe the excise tax imposed on insurance plans will have a negative economic impact on many manufacturers.
And, the Finance Committee’s imposition of industry-specific fees singles out businesses solely to raise revenues – costs that ultimately will be passed onto consumers. The NAM is also concerned about the proposed tax on employer-provided prescription benefits, limits on Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and new requirements on corporate information reporting.
For the full letter, click here.
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National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors:
“The PwC study is clear: health care costs for employers and employees will increase even more under the Finance Committee package. The effects will be felt most profoundly by small businesses which already struggle to provide health benefits to their employees, if they are able to offer them at all.”
For the full letter, click here.
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American Benefits Council:
“The Council continues to have serious concerns with other aspects of this measure, particularly the complicated and costly excise tax on high cost plans, extensive new fees on health insurers and other stakeholders and the tax on valuable prescription drug coverage for retirees. These costs are all likely to eventually be passed along to employers and employees and would certainly make health care more costly.”
For the full letter, click here.
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Business Roundtable:
“There remains much to work on in this bill, including aligning the individual obligation with the timing of system reform. If Congress fails to do so, people who decline coverage will shift costs to those who do have it, increasing costs for everyone.
“Our members have a very clear understanding of the impact of health care costs on our ability to create jobs and improve the economy. We must get reform right – addressing costs and avoiding cost shifting – to build the foundation for a strong, healthy economy where all Americans have health care coverage.”
For the full letter, click here.
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
“This [PwC] report underscores a fundamental problem with the Senate Finance Committee bill in that it does not adequately bend the cost curve and will end up costing businesses and their employees more for health care. The taxes imposed on insurers, high- end insurance plans, medical device manufacturers, and pharmaceutical manufacturers-combined with reductions in Medicare payments-will lead to cost-shifting to employer-sponsored coverage and private purchased health insurance resulting in higher premiums.”
For the full letter, click here.
