WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the passage of health care reform in the House over the weekend, Bob McKenna, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), issued a statement expressing concern over the impact that the health care reform will have on employer-based health care systems.
 
“While MEMA and its members acknowledge the need for systemic health care reform to help drive down costs, we believe passage of the House bill poses several dangers to the employer-based system of health care coverage,” McKenna said. “We are specifically concerned that a public plan will unfairly shift costs to the private sector and that the requirements involved with a pay or play employer mandate will ultimately cause some employers to drop coverage altogether. Further, mandated minimum benefits will not allow employers the flexibility to best meet the needs of their employees.”  
 
“We will continue to work with the Senate and hope that meaningful reform can yet be achieved that preserves the important role of employer-provided health care coverage,” McKenna added.