For Immediate Release
Washington, DC – The following statement should be attributed to Annette Guarisco Fildes, president and CEO, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC):
“Today’s release of the National Business Group on Health’s (NBGH) annual report highlights the rising costs of health care and the effects they are having on plan sponsors. With additional burdens placed on large employers by the Affordable Care Act, employers are being forced to look at cost cutting measures and alternatives to providing care to their employees and their families.
As the only national trade association advocating solely for the employee benefit and compensation interests of the country’s largest employers, ERIC has tirelessly worked with lawmakers to fully repeal the 40 percent excise tax, as well as eliminate the employer mandate and related burdensome reporting requirements, and continues to fight against overreach in regulations.
Earlier this year, ERIC urged the president and Congress to promote efficient health care delivery and encourage cost consciousness among private payers, as well as endorse Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSAs represent a singular tool to achieve these efficiency objectives and must be supported.
Last year, with the support of our members, ERIC launched its telehealth initiative. Through that initiative ERIC has become a leader at the state level in shaping uniform, barrier-free telehealth policies. ERIC members are extremely supportive of telehealth as a means of allowing their employees access to care when and where they need it.
Placing administrative and financial challenges on plan sponsors and restricting their ability to best tailor benefits to their own workforces discourages employers from maintaining high-quality coverage. The change in the cost of health care must start with the Administration and lawmakers.”