Update on federal health care overhaul
Today, President Barack Obama signed a massive overhaul of the nation’s system after a very contentious year of efforts. The National Restaurant Association has worked actively during the past year to advocate for provisions in the bill that would protect the industry and was successful in achieving several improvements. However, when changes to the final version of the bill were announced last week, the National Restaurant Association board’s executive committee voted unanimously to publicly oppose the legislation.
“We are committed to reducing costs in the health care system and expanding health care coverage for the industry’s workforce” said Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association President and CEO. “However, we are extremely concerned that the health care bill that passed today will impose tremendous burdens on America’s restaurants and hurt our industry’s ability to create and sustain jobs. We will continue to look for every opportunity and explore every avenue to create jobs, strengthen the economy and protect the restaurant industry as this legislation moves forward to the Senate, as well as in the regulatory process,” she stated.The process is not yet complete as lawmakers still need to pass the reconciliation package.
What’s next for health care reform?
The Senate still has to pass the package of "fixes" that were made by Obama and the House of Representatives. The NRA will continue to aggressively push the Senate to address the protections for small businesses when they take up the reconciliation provisions. In particular, they are calling on U.S. Senators to address the provisions regarding part-time workers, which will directly affect the industry and the creation of jobs. The Senate Democratic leadership assured House members that they had the 51 votes needed to pass the reconciliation bill, but they are also gearing up for a spate of procedural face-offs with Republicans. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, introduced bills Monday to repeal the health care bill, and GOP lawmakers are vowing to fight the bill tooth and nail.
National Menu Labeling Approved
Congress also approved national menu labeling standards. The rule was a component of health care legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives Sunday and is expected to be signed into law by Obama. The agreement creates a national, uniform standard for chain restaurants with 20 or more locations that would provide customers with a wide range of nutrition information – mirroring the information available on packaged foods. Caloric information would be highlighted on menus, menu boards, and drive-thru boards.
“The passage of this provision is a win for consumers and restaurateurs,” Sweeney said. “We know the importance of providing consumers with the information they want and need no matter in which part of the country they are dining. This legislation will replace a growing patchwork of varying state and local regulations with one consistent national standard that helps consumers make choices that are best for themselves and their families.”
Further legal analysis is necessary to determine if, indeed, the national law will overrule California’s specific statewide menu labeling law and the CRA will continue to communicate clarification as it becomes available.
For more information, go online at www.RestaurantHealthCareReformInfo.com.