ARLINGTON, VA --(Marketwire - July 03, 2012) - In a letter sent to the White House Monday, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) President Sandy Kennedy urged President Obama to direct his administration to release long-overdue proposed health care regulations that will affect nearly 170 million Americans currently receiving employer-sponsored health coverage.

The crown-jewel of America's healthcare system, employer-sponsored coverage, has been in existence since World War II. Now however, the complexity of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), poor timing and the lack of implementation guidelines threaten this voluntary system.

"President Obama repeatedly assured Americans that if they liked their health insurance, they could keep it. However, today, with less than a year and a half until the law takes effect, and no meaningful implementation guidelines available for employers, those assurances are in doubt," said RILA President Sandy Kennedy.

The letter noted that since the enactment of the ACA, RILA and its member companies have had numerous constructive conversations with, and provided policy recommendations to regulators. Employers have been deprived of regulations necessary to comply with the law's numerous requirements. Retailers are seriously concerned about burdensome, inflexible regulations that provide no time for implementation and could prevent employers from continuing to offer quality, affordable healthcare.

"While retailers are committed to continuing to provide health coverage to their employees, overregulation jeopardizes their ability to do so," said Kennedy.

RILA continues to urge the Administration to recognize the unique challenges facing retailers, and not issue regulations that hinder retailers' ability to maintain flexible work options and affordable health coverage for their employees.

"RILA looks forward to discussing these concerns with the Administration and ensuring that retailers can continue to offer quality, affordable coverage that fits the unique needs of their workforce and provides coverage to millions of employees and their families," Kennedy concluded.

RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad. RILA members offer quality and affordable healthcare to employees and their families and are leaders in benefits design by customizing plans to meet their workforces' specific needs.

A copy of the letter is available here