According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “The U.S. House of Representatives passed late Saturday its version of health care reform, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which includes some measures that industry groups consider to be anti-business and too expensive for restaurant companies.”

“The next steps for a major overhaul in U.S. health care, which has been a major priority of the Obama administration, now rest with the Senate, which will debate its own version of reform. Reports indicate that a Senate vote may come as early as Thanksgiving. President Barack Obama is not expected to see actual legislation, which would include compromises from both House and Senate bills, until next year. The National Restaurant Association, International Franchise Association and National Council of Chain Restaurants all said last week that they opposed the House bill, which mandates that employers offer health benefits to part-time employees or pay a penalty. On Thursday, the International Franchise Association voiced its opposition to the health care reform bill, claiming that the legislation’s passage would harm small-business operators.”