The National Retail Federation has endorsed a bipartisan bill to continue government subsidies created by the Affordable Care Act to stabilize insurance marketplaces for low- to moderate-income people.

The legislation sponsored by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) appeared to have fizzled out as of Thursday, with President Donald Trump revoking his earlier support for the idea and several conservative Republicans saying they were unlikely to vote for it. Still, in a statement, NRF said the bill would stabilize the availability of health care coverage for many small retailers and their employees.

"NRF strongly supports this deal," NRF Vice President for Health Care Policy Neil Trautwein said. "Some retail employees obtain their health insurance through the individual market. Furthermore, what affects the individual market—particularly the participation of insurers—also affects the small group market and that's where many independent stores find their coverage."

Trautwein added that his association was particularly pleased with the bipartisan nature of the legislation.

"Finding meaningful relief from the ACA's cost burdens—especially the ACA taxes, the 30-hour definition of a full-time worker and the dysfunctional reporting system—will come only with bipartisan support," he said. http://bit.ly/2l0KVlu

While the Alexander-Murray bill is currently stalled, news site Axios said it could be resurrected. The bill's sponsors were expected to roll out more bipartisan support for the legislation in coming days. http://bit.ly/2yzaDlW

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