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A Message from the CEO of the National Restaurant Association
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Achieving comprehensive health care reform that encompasses the National Restaurant Association's key principles is critical to the continued viability of America's restaurant industry.
As stakeholders in our industry, I urge you to contact your Members of Congress and tell them what we need out of health care reform in order to be successful. With 945,000 restaurant and foodservices outlets and a workforce of 13 Million employees, we can't afford not to be heard.
In addition, use this website to learn the facts, stay informed and provide us with feedback on one of the most important legislative issues for our industry.
- Dawn Sweeney, President & CEO, National Restaurant Association
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Click on the button below to write your Member of Congress.
Health Care Reform Key Principles
Click here for a pdf version of the principles
Expanding coverage through containment of health care costs
- Contain health care costs by group purchasing through a network of private, nonprofit cooperatives.
- Incentivize individuals to live healthier lifestyles and promote wellness in the workplace.
- Reform the health care delivery system to curb fraud and abuse, saving dollars for key health care needs.
- Address tort related matters that have contributed to the increasing cost of health care.
Strengthening the viability of the private insurance market through increased competition and effective, but reasonable regulation
- Increase choice in coverage by expanding competitive and viable health care coverage options in the market place
- Create a more competitive, affordable and accessible private health insurance market for entrepreneurs, businesses, both small and large, and individuals.
- Preserve the rights granted under ERISA allowing employers to offer uniform benefits across state lines.
Ensuring the continued viability of private businesses while increasing the availability of health care options for Americans who choose to participate
- Taxes and fees aimed at financing health care reform must be sensitive to the economics of businesses and individuals. Costs must avoid inhibiting new jobs creation, preventing basic business profitability or limiting the opportunity for business to continue or increase their ability to provide private health care options for their employees.
- While the association opposes employer mandates, any 'pay or play' option must fairly treat employers with high labor costs related to overall profitability. A per capita tax on employers fails to recognize that restaurants employ large numbers of employees across the wage spectrum and operate on extraordinarily thin profit margins. Employer mandates also fail to recognize that many restaurant employees work for multiple employers.
- Mandated minimum coverage levels fail to recognize the widely varying needs of the employee base of the restaurant industry. It is preferable to allow employers to offer benefits that are uniquely aligned with the needs of their workforce.
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