January 12, 2017
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and our 285,000
members, I am writing in support of the fiscal year 2017 budget resolution (S.Con.Res.3), as
the initial step towards making needed modifications to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
As the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management, SHRM members
design and implement health care benefit plans for employees and their families. There are
currently over 175 million Americans who receive health care coverage through their employer.
Because more than half of all Americans get coverage at work, SHRM believes reconciliation
legislation must strengthen the employer-based health care system.
As you consider reconciliation legislation, SHRM will continue to advocate for:

Maintaining the flexibility and certainty afforded employers under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which is essential to the success of the
employer-based system.

Repeal of the 40 percent excise tax (“Cadillac tax”) on high-value, employer-sponsored
health care benefits.

Eliminating requirements on employer-sponsored plans to ensure employers have the
flexibility to design benefit plans that meet the unique needs of varying workforces.

Allowing employers to adopt innovative strategies to improve health benefit offerings to
lower overall U.S. health care costs.
SHRM urges the House to pass S.Con.Res.3 in order to consider health reform during the
reconciliation process. SHRM looks forward to working with Congress to enact responsible
and effective health care reforms as outlined above.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Aitken
Vice President, Government Affairs
1800 Duke StreetAlexandria, VA 22314-3499+1-703-548-3440 +1-703-535-6490 Fax +1-703-548-6999 TTY/TDDwww.shrm.org