Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–July 3, 2013. The following is a statement from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) regarding the Obama administration’s decision to streamline employer responsibility reporting and delay the implementation of employer responsibility requirements for one year:
“The overwhelming majority of large corporations offer healthcare to their employees and the Affordable Care Act is built upon and preserves that foundation. No amount of legislation can encourage a corporation to be responsible when it comes to the healthcare costs and health of employees; that comes from a commitment to the women and men who do the work day to day. Those corporations that despite the employer responsibility requirements choose to do the wrong thing are simply shifting higher costs onto employees and taxpayers alike. And most Americans would not willingly pay the way for a CEO making 273 times what the average worker takes home.
“Today, despite all of the delay tactics and millions of dollars spent by right-wing extremists, the law is moving forward and the new healthcare markets will be ready to offer high quality, lower cost healthcare coverage to middle-class Americans as of January 1, 2014. We cannot lose sight of this goal, especially for working women and men who cannot afford to see a doctor or get the lifesaving prescriptions they need. The fair and flexible process developed by the administration in response to business concerns does not impede or delay that goal.
“We will continue to work together with leaders and organizations from all walks of life to be ready for this date -including labor, small businesses and responsible employers, healthcare providers and advocates, faith leaders and elected officials — to make sure Americans are informed when it comes to their healthcare choices under the law.”
With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers–not just corporations and CEOs–benefit from today’s global economy.
Source: www.seiu.org
