Retailers applaud Landrieu/Shaheen healthcare amendment

ARLINGTON, Va. The Retail Industry Leaders Association responded Wednesday to proposed healthcare legislation by Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., which would extend the period that employers have to enroll new full-time employees into company health benefit plans from 30 days to 90 days.

“RILA applauds Sens. Landrieu and Shaheen for their leadership on this important issue. For high turnover industries like ours, this amendment will prevent cost increases for existing employees and prevent new employees from needlessly changing doctors and health plans,” RILA stated.“If passed in its current form, the underlying bill would dramatically increase administrative costs associated with enrolling and unenrolling employees who move quickly in and out of the retail workforce. The associated cost increases would affect retailer’s ability to continue offering their employees quality and affordable healthcare benefits.”

RILA has been a leading advocate for this change and raised this issue in a recent letter to Senate majority leader Harry Reid. Click here to read the full letter.