Mercer CEO brings employers’ legislative priorities to Capitol Hill  

Employers care about affordability, transparency, and flexibility to manage their benefits. That’s what Mercer CEO and President Pat Tomlinson told key lawmakers on his May 8th visit to Capitol Hill.  

Tomlinson focused on two legislative priorities for employers: preserving ERISA’s long-standing preemption and protecting current tax incentives for employer-sponsored healthcare and retirement plans. He talked about studies that have shown that for every $1.00 of tax expenditure, multiples of that amount are paid by employers to finance health and retirement benefits. He also discussed the importance of pharmacy data transparency to employers. 

At a separate meeting in Mercer’s Washington office, Tomlinson led a roundtable discussion with representatives from several benefits-focused trade groups with whom Mercer partners to advocate for sound retirement, healthcare and workplace policies. Attendees exchanged views on their organization’s biggest policy challenges and opportunities and how best to address them. As this work continues, it’s clear that continued progress depends on employers remaining engaged with lawmakers and making their voice heard in Washington.