RILA Commends House Blue Dogs On Health Care 

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) thanked members of the U.S. House of Representatives Blue Dog Coalition today for their leadership in advocating for responsible changes to health care reform legislation.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Blue Dog Health Care Task Force Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), RILA President Sandy Kennedy thanked the centrist group for “advocating for responsible changes to be made in the Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200).”

The letter went on to say “Retailers are committed to responsible health care reform that preserves the employer-based insurance system, changes our nation’s health care delivery to focus on wellness, and places cost containment on par with increasing access to care for the uninsured. However, we are concerned that H.R. 3200 currently does not do enough to meet these three goals and we applaud you for your work to address some of these key issues.”

The letter was sent in response to recent comments made by leaders of the Blue Dog Coalition, who raised objections to the bill currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. RILA and its member companies are committed to working constructively with lawmakers to expand health care access and lower the overall cost of care for every individual. 

“RILA member companies believe that covering the uninsured and lowering the cost of care for everyone is urgently needed. We have engaged in good faith discussions with policymakers on both sides of the political aisle to advance these shared goals and are willing to make significant concessions to see to it that more Americans have access to the care they so urgently need. We applaud you for making good faith efforts to see that our shared goals are met in this important debate,” said Kennedy.

Specifically addressing the issue of cost containment, the letter noted the profound impact on small businesses saying, “…key in addressing the issue of cost containment is finding ways for small businesses to secure and maintain care for their employees. Not only did each of our member companies start out as a small business, but small businesses are our suppliers, they are our shopping center neighbors, and, most importantly, they are our customers. Without policies in place that address the specific needs of our nation’s small businesses, RILA is not in a position to support the bill at hand today.”

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) promotes consumer choice and economic freedom through public policy and industry operational excellence. Its members include the largest and most successful retailers operating in the U.S.--which together provide millions of jobs and operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

To learn more about the retail industry's commitment to health care visit www.rila.org/hr/healthcare.

Full Letter Text Below

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July 22, 2009

The Honorable Mike Ross                                                     

United States Representative                                    

2436 Rayburn House Office Building                        

Washington, D.C. 20515                                                       

             RE:      Blue Dog Health Care Task Force

Dear Congressmen Ross:

I write to heartily thank you for your strong leadership in advocating for responsible changes to be made in the Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200). Retailers are committed to responsible health care reform that preserves the employer-based insurance system, changes our nation’s health care delivery to focus on wellness, and places cost containment on par with increasing access to care for the uninsured. However, we are concerned that H.R. 3200 currently does not do enough to meet these three goals and we applaud you for your work to address some of these key issues.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association promotes consumer choice and economic freedom through public policy and industry operational excellence. Our members include the largest and most successful companies in the retail industry – retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers – which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales. RILA members provide millions of jobs and operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

While all RILA members offer quality health insurance benefits to their employees, we are concerned that the authority given to the Department of Health and Human Services to establish minimum benefits could diminish the certainty and objectivity of health benefits as political whims differ between administrations. We are also deeply troubled by the increased government involvement in benefit design and cost sharing prescribed in H.R. 3200, provisions we believe will make it more complicated and expensive for employers to continue offering benefits. Mandating minimum benefits and cost sharing undermines the effectiveness of the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA), which was enacted to allow employers operating across state lines the benefit design flexibility they need to meet the needs of their individual workforces. Today, thanks to ERISA, 170 million Americans receive health care benefits through an employer. Preservation of ERISA is paramount for RILA and we simply cannot support any legislation that takes away benefit design flexibility from self-insures and jeopardizes coverage for so many Americans.

RILA also recognizes that cost containment is the key to increasing access to care for the uninsured. Congress should incentivize market-based health care reforms that reduce systemic costs, thereby making health care more affordable for individuals currently without the care they deserve. One proven method for reducing costs is focusing our existing health care delivery system away from simple treatment of illness and toward prevention of disease. Retailers are leading the way in integrating wellness programs in the workforce, but Congress must recognize that it is individual responsibility that will make the difference. Unfortunately, H.R. 3200 does nothing to incentivize individuals to care for their own health and well-being and RILA is unable to support any legislation that does not make this important shift.

Also key in addressing the issue of cost containment is finding ways for small businesses to secure and maintain care for their employees. Not only did each of our member companies start out as a small business, but small businesses are our suppliers, they are our shopping center neighbors, and, most importantly, they are our customers. Without policies in place that address the specific needs of our nation’s small businesses, RILA is not in a position to support the bill at hand today.

RILA member companies believe that covering the uninsured and lowering the cost of care for everyone is urgently needed. We have engaged in good faith discussions with policymakers on both sides of the political aisle to advance these shared goals and are willing to make significant concessions to see to it that more Americans have access to the care they so urgently need. We applaud you for making good faith efforts to see that our shared goals are met in this important debate.

Again, we are committed to meaningful health reform and hope that you will work with us to advance our shared goal.

Sincerely,

Sandra L. Kennedy

President