An online, clickable version of this newsletter is available at: http://benefitslink.com/2007/2007_12_28_welfare.html =========================================================== BenefitsLink Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter (Plain Text Format) December 28, 2007 Here are the Web's best new links about compliance and cost aspects of plan operation, design and policy. =========================================================== TODAY'S SPONSOR: Benefit Software Inc. Looking for ways to improve retention and control costs? (Advert.) http://benefitslink.com/modperl/a_d_top.cgi?a_d=2007_12_28_welfare (Click on the above address or copy and paste it into your web browser.) According to a 2006 survey, almost 50% of HR professionals said that improving retention and controlling health care costs are their top priorities in 2007. We can help. Benefit Software is a leading provider of full service, customized benefits communication solutions. You make the choice; we deliver top quality printed or secure, 24/7 online solutions. Email sales@bsiweb.com or call 800-533-1388 to register for a free Webinar. ----------------------------------------------------------- (a) NEW GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ----------------------------------------------------------- (None today.) ----------------------------------------------------------- (b) NEWS ---------------------------------------------------------- San Francisco Appeals Decision Striking Down Health Care Plan http://www.foxreno.com/news/14935557/detail.html Excerpt: "The city of San Francisco filed an emergency bid with a federal appeals court [yesterday] for a stay of a ruling that struck down an employer spending mandate in the city's pioneering health care plan.' (KTVU.com and Bay City News via foxreno.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Vote Set in D.C. on Mandating Paid Sick Leave http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/27/AR2007122702322.html?wpisrc=newsletter Excerpt: "The District could become the second U.S. city to require employers to provide paid sick leave to all workers, a move advocates say could protect employees from having to choose between keeping themselves healthy and keeping their job. Opponents say such a law could prompt businesses to reduce benefits and lay off workers." (The Washington Post; free registration required) ----------------------------------------------------------- (c) SUMMARIES OF GUIDANCE; FILED COMMENTS ---------------------------------------------------------- San Francisco's Health Care Ordinance Falls to ERISA Preemption Challenge http://healthplanlaw.com/?p=503 Excerpt: "In a well-reasoned opinion, a California district court has held that ERISA preempts the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance. The 2006 ordinance consisted of an employer health spending requirement and a government health care program, funded in part by those employer contributions." (Health Plan Law blog by Attorney Roy F. Harmon III) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: San Francisco Health Law Falls to ERISA Preemption http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/laborprof_blog/2007/12/san-francisco-h.html Excerpt: "It still boggles the mind that the court comes to these conclusions, while still recognizing that, '[t]he Supreme Court has also emphasized more generally that the 'principal object of the statute [ERISA] is to protect plan participants and beneficiaries,' Boggs v. Boggs, 520 U.S. 833, 845 (1997), not to ensure national uniformity or lower costs for employers to run such plans." (Workplace Prof Blog) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance Preempted http://www.thelenreid.com/index.cfm?section=articles&function=ViewArticle&articleID=3335&filter= Excerpt: "On December 26, 2007, United States District Judge Jeffery White granted summary judgment in favor of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association's challenge to the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance. The judge held that the Ordinance is invalid because it is preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The City is expected to request a stay pending appeal." (Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: Final Regulation Allows Retiree Health Plans to Coordinate with Medicare http://www.ballardspahr.com/press/article.asp?ID=1952 Excerpt: "The new regulation establishes an exemption from the ADEA that permits health plans to reduce, eliminate or alter benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees without the need to meet these additional standards." (Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP) ----------------------------------------------------------- (d) TRENDS, SURVEYS, RESEARCH ---------------------------------------------------------- EEOC Health Coverage Rule May Help Younger Retirees http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-retiree_fridec28,0,1973098.story Excerpt: "[A] federal rule published Wednesday means that employers may be less likely to drop or cut health-care coverage for younger retirees, while at the same time allowing them to reduce or eliminate benefits for retirees who turn 65 and qualify for Medicare." (Chicago Tribune) ---------------------------------------------------------- 6 Tax-Efficient Perks to Ask for at Work http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2007/12/27/6-tax-efficient-perks-to-ask-for-at-work.aspx Excerpt: "[T]he average person will change not only employers but also careers multiple times before reaching age 50. Combine that information with layoffs and downsizing on the employer side, and 'tenure' is a thing of the past. As a competent and dedicated employee, you can use this to your advantage. If you are doing a good job, your employer will want to keep you. And to do so, your company knows it might need to entice you to stay if your skills are marketable and you are in demand." (Wise Bread via MSN.Money) ----------------------------------------------------------- (e) POLICY, OPINION, ADVOCACY ----------------------------------------------------------- Study: Health of Previously Uninsured Adults After Acquiring Medicare Coverage http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=628864 Excerpt: "Health care coverage leads to dramatic improvement in health trends for previously uninsured older individuals, particularly those with cardiovascular disease or diabetes, according to a Commonwealth Fund-supported study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association." (The Commonwealth Fund) ---------------------------------------------------------- Opinion: The Best of Healthcare Information Technology in 2007 http://www.modernhealthcare.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071227/REG/945258872/0/FRONTPAGE Excerpt: "Over the past year, Health IT Strategist has chronicled some of the key issues of healthcare IT. Take a look at what readers found to be the most important, based on a review of page views for stories." (Modern Healthcare; free registration required) =========================================================== Sponsored by: University Conference Services Are Your Health and Welfare Benefits Headed Down the Right Road? (Advert.) http://benefitslink.com/modperl/a_d_center.cgi?a_d=2007_12_28_welfare (Click on the address above or copy and paste it into your web browser.) Dramatic cost increases have made the job managing your medical benefit plans a real challenge. Attend the Health & Welfare Plan Management for Mid-Sized Employers, Feb. 2-5, in Orlando to find out how to map a long-term course for your plans. ========================================================== Newly Posted Events NIPA Webcast: Common 401(k) Plan Mistakes Nationwide on February 7, 2008 presented by National Institute of Pension Administrators http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=43244 Webcast: Common 401(k) Plan Mistakes Nationwide on February 7, 2008 presented by National Institute of Pension Administrators http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=43243 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/events/eventmaint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted Press Releases Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Regulations for Cash Balance and Other Hybrid Pension Plans U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=41484 IRS, Treasury Issue Additional Proposed Regulations on Pension Protection Act Funding Rules U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=41485 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/pr/maint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings Plan Administrator for Beneco, Inc. in AZ http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?n=H50549 Retirement Services Facilitator for National Life Group in http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?n=H53163 Relius Expert Needed for Benesystems in AZ http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?n=H53253 Defined Contribution Team Manager/401K Plan Administrator for National Life Group in VT http://benefitslink.com/modperl/job.cgi?n=H53899 Post yours! http://EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com/jobs/post_help_wanted.html View all jobs http://EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com/ RSS feed http://EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com/rss/jobs.rss =========================================================== Search previous newsletters: http://benefitslink.com/search =========================================================== Subscribe to the BenefitsLink Retirement Plans Newsletter, Too Sign-up form is at: http://benefitslink.com/newsletter/ =========================================================== This newsletter is sent to you each workday except federal holidays. 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