Dive Summary:

• The National Retail Federation (NRF) has backed the efforts of congressional Republicans who are attempting to repeal a provision in President Barack Obama's healthcare law that requires most employers to provide benefits to their workers.
• The NRF says that the repeal will help the retail community and has argued that job growth has already slowed as a result of the mandate because businesses are worried about rising costs.
• Companies with at least 50 employees that don't offer healthcare to its employees face fines; the NFR is still preparing for the implementation of the law, but is still hopeful it will be overturned.

From the article:

French sent letters this week to Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Senate Finance Committee ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

"The employer mandate is a drag on our economy, forcing too many of our nation’s job creators to stop hiring and grow their businesses in order to comply with this onerous provision in president’s health law," Hatch said in a statement when he introduced his bill Feb. 28.  ...