Workplace Health Care - SHRM Advocacy

The employer-based health care system provides benefits to more than 180 million americans

SHRM believes any approach to health care reform in the United States must preserve the option for employers to provide employer-sponsored health insurance and lower costs for employers and employees.

SHRM Supports

– The Employer-Based System: SHRM believes public policy should strengthen and improve the employer-based health care system, including preservation of the current tax treatment of employer-sponsored health plans. SHRM also believes the definition of full-time employment for purposes of health care coverage should be 40 hours per week, consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirement.

– Wellness Programs: SHRM supports adoption of employer wellness programs to encourage healthy behavior and to lower costs for employers and employees.

Take Action

Workforce Development, Workplace Equity, Workplace Flexibility & Leave, Workplace Health Care, Workplace Immigration

COVID-19 Relief Legislation and Year-End Legislative Priorities

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed and the President signed into law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide resources and economic assistance to American workers, families and businesses.

November 18, 2020
by Sean McIntosh
Workforce Development, Workplace Equity, Workplace Flexibility & Leave, Workplace Health Care, Workplace Immigration

SHRM@WORK

December 18, 2019
SHRM helps repeal the “Cadillac Tax”:

At the end of 2019 Congress repealed the Cadillac Tax with the help of SHRM support. SHRM has long- advocated for full repeal and or delay of the tax because it could lead to employers restructuring or reducing employee health benefits and higher out-of-pocket copays and deductibles for workers. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO of SHRM said in a letter to Congress that if the Cadillac Tax went into effect that "modest plans will also be impacted, meaning millions of Americans and their families could face higher co-pays and deductibles, causing some to decline employer-provided health care.”

november 21, 2019
SHRM Urges Senate Leadership to Repeal the “Cadillac Tax”

Earlier this year the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill to repeal the Cadillac Tax. SHRM has long-advocated for full repeal and or delay of the tax because it could lead to employers restructuring or reducing employee health benefits and higher out-of-pocket copays and deductibles for workers. The bill is currently in the Senate and SHRM sent a letter to Congress this summer urging swift action.

March 27, 2020
Congress passed and the President signed into law the third COVID-19 package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the "CARES Act." The bill also includes provisions that SHRM has championed, including modernizing HSA rules to include telehealth, among other benefits. Read more about the changes to workplace health care in SHRM’s analysis of the CARES Act.

December 18, 2019
SHRM advocates to expand access to mental health care:

The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on workers’ mental health, according to new research by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The research finds that a majority of employees are experiencing symptoms of depression, but very few are receiving care. You can read the letter here.

As the cost of health care continues to rise, employers are keeping a close eye on the benefits they provide to ensure their health and wellness offerings meet the demands of today’s workforce. Policies should be implemented to help employers provide quality, affordable health care for their employees.

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
President and CEO, SHRM