US employer coalition launched to focus on benefits standards

The American Benefits Council has launched the National Coalition on Business (NCB) in an effort to preserve Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) standard for health and retirement benefit plans, it said.

Council president James A. Klein commented: "The members of the National Coalition on Benefits (NCB), like all participants in the voluntary, employer-sponsored benefits system, have two things in common. We all rely on the national preemption standard established by the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and we all understand how important it is to protect that standard from being weakened or eroded."

The NCB will work to increase awareness of ERISA’s role and promote legislative initiatives that preserve and protect this essential element of the law.

“The launch of this coalition comes at a key moment as the nation prepares to consider comprehensive health reform proposals. The united voice of employers will help to ensure that ERISA continues to play an essential role in securing health and financial security for millions of American workers and their families.

Council president James A. Klein

The Council is a charter member of NCB and will serve as co-chair of the coalition’s legal and legislative subcommittee.

Klein added: "The launch of this coalition comes at a key moment as the nation prepares to consider comprehensive health reform proposals. The united voice of employers will help to ensure that ERISA continues to play an essential role in securing health and financial security for millions of American workers and their families."