RILA responds to ACA passage

ARLINGTON, Va. — The upholding of the individual mandate within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by the Supreme Court drew a response from several industry groups, including the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

RILA president Sandy Kennedy said the focus now should shift to the employer mandate and the effect the changes to employer-sponsored coverage.

"President Obama repeatedly assured Americans that if they liked their health insurance, they could keep it," Kennedy said. "However, today, with just 17 months until the law takes effect, and no meaningful implementation guidelines available for employers, those assurances are in doubt. While retailers are committed to continuing to provide health coverage to their employees, overregulation jeopardizes their ability to do so. RILA continues to urge the administration to protect retailers' ability to offer quality, affordable coverage that fits the unique needs of their workforce and not to undermine the flexible, voluntary system that provides coverage to millions of employees and their families."