Jun 10, 2015

ARLINGTON, VA – JUNE 10, 2015 – Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today commends Reps. Diane Black (R-TN) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) who introduced the Commonsense Reporting and Verification Act of 2015 (H.R. 2712), critical legislation that both helps simplify the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) reporting process for employers and provides more up-front information for Health Care Exchanges to properly determine individuals’ eligibility for Advanced Premium Tax Credits. 

FMI Senior Vice President Government and Public Affairs Jennifer Hatcher offered the following statement on the legislation:

"Fixing some of the more mundane problems in the Affordable Care Act, such as the reporting requirements, is never going to bring a Member of Congress celebrity status, but it will make a big difference to a lot of people .

"FMI appreciates the bipartisan approach taken by Representatives Black and Thompson to address a technical, but serious, emerging problem with ACA’s exchange notification and employer reporting process. This legislation provides an option for employers who can up-front certify that they’ve met their ACA obligations and reduces the likelihood of supermarket employees having to pay the IRS for errors made by Exchanges during Advance Premium Tax Credit verification process."

The legislation would allow food retail employers to prospectively certify that they offer at least one health care plan that meets the ACA’s affordability and minimal value requirements. The bill also helps protect the use of dependents’ social security numbers and allows employers to electronically deliver health care statements to employees.