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March 11, 2004 - 8,783 subscribers
Today's sponsor: CBI’s 2nd Annual Disease Management Summit for Employers, Providers and Health Plans
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
Al Lewis and Warren Todd to speak at CBI's Disease Management Summit! CBI’s 2nd Annual Disease Management Summit for Employers, Providers and Health Plans: Improve Productivity and Outcomes While Reducing Absenteeism and Healthcare Costs, April 22-23, 2004 in Washington D.C. The Summit features employers and healthcare strategists who will present innovative strategies to evaluate and implement disease management programs. Through in-depth case studies, speakers and healthcare strategists will present financial and clinical outcomes that have effectively managed health care costs, decreased absenteeism and improved productivity for employees with chronic conditions.
(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
Experimental Pill Targets Both Smoking and Obesity
Excerpt: "New university studies suggest the experimental drug, rimonabant, which could be ready for marketing approval next year, could tackle the two conditions, which are the leading causes for both cardiovascular disease and cancer in the United States." (Washington Times)
Pharmacy Benefit Managers Win Preliminary Injunction in Lawsuit To Block Maine Law
Excerpt: "A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against a Maine law enacted last year that would require pharmacy benefit managers to disclose secret agreements that they make with pharmaceutical companies, the Wall Street Journal reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Termination of Employee For Excessive Absenteeism Did Not Violate the FMLA: Tenth Circuit
The termination of an employee for excessive absenteeism did not violate the employee's leave rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This was the ruling of the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Dry v. The Boeing Company (No. 01-3294). (Spencer Benefits Reports)
Readers of Employee Benefit News Spurn Proposed Blind Date with Matchmakers
Excerpt: "Several readers of the March 4 Connect were appalled at the idea of matchmaking services as an employee benefit. A disgruntled employee 'could prove the company liable if a wrongful act occurred stemming from this benefit,' writes Danone Simpson, an employee benefits consultant with Pasadena, Calif.-based insurance broker Bolton & Company." (BenefitNews.com)
Minn. Governor Asks for Help on Drug Costs from Other States' Pension Fund Trustees
Excerpt: "Seeking strength in numbers, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has asked 49 other governors to follow his lead in telling pharmaceutical companies to roll back their American drug prices. He wants them to use the collective muscle of their state boards of investment, which have billions invested in pharmaceutical industry stock." (AP via PhillyBurbs.com)
California Senate Committee Approves Pres.cription Drug Reimportation Plan
Excerpt: "The California Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday voted 8-2 to approve two bills that would allow the state to reimport pres.cription drugs from Canada, the Contra Costa Times reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
McClellan Agrees To Testify on Pres.cription Drug Reimportation Before Senate Commerce Committee
Excerpt: "FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan, the nominee to serve as the new CMS administrator, on Wednesday 'bowed to demands' and agreed to testify on Thursday before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee about his opposition to the reimportation of lower-cost, U.S.-manufactured pres.cription drugs from other nations, USA Today reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Opinion: California Contraceptive Coverage Case Ignores Separation of Church and State
Excerpt: "The encroachment of antidiscrimination laws on civil liberties has become so commonplace that new examples of the phenomenon usually elicit yawns. But even the jaded may find their breath taken away by the stunning decision of the California Supreme Court on March 2, holding that Catholic Charities could be compelled to violate Catholic doctrine by offering its employees insurance coverage for contraceptive products." (David E. Bernstein, published by the Cato Institute)
Opinion: Referendum on California Mandatory Health Insurance Law-- Haves vs. Have-nots
Excerpt: "Occasionally-- once every decade or two-- powerful California political currents merge to create a whirlpool of intersecting conflicts that force voters to make some truly fundamental decisions about the society in which they live. This year may be one of those events." (Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee)
MEWAs: the Threat of Plan Insolvency and Other Challenges (PDF)
12 pages. Excerpt: "Congress and some state policymakers are considering legislation to promote the growth of association health plans and other types of 'multiple employer welfare arrangements' (MEWAs) as a way to expand access to affordable health insurance coverage." (The Commonwealth Fund)
Families USA Calls for States To Regulate Association Health Plans
Excerpt: "States should more closely regulate health insurance sold through associations to 'curb sales abuses and deceptive practices,' according to a report from Families USA scheduled to be released Thursday, the Wall Street Journal reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
GM's Future Retiree Health Obligations Total $60B, Even After Medicare Subsidies
Excerpt: "General Motors, one of the largest private purchasers of health care in the United States, is expected to report in its year-end financial report to the Securities and Exchange Commission that its future health care liabilities for retirees have surpassed $60 billion even after adjustments that reduce such liabilities under the new Medicare law, the Wall Street Journal reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
The Questions Candidates Should Answer About Americans Without Health Insurance (PDF)
20 pages. Excerpt: "Although we recognize that candidates typically put forward broad policy proposals with minimal specifics, properly assessing such proposals often requires more details. Success or failure will likely depend on these details. This document does not cover implementation or administration, both of which will be crucial to the success of any new initiative." (American Academy of Actuaries)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
New Book: Tax and Securities Sources for Equity Compensation
This book, prepared for the Certified Equity Professional Institute (CEPI) at Santa Clara University and available for sale to the general public, is a collection of tax and securities source materials relevant to the study of equity compensation. The CEPI curriculum committee selected the materials included here as being essential for those involved with equity compensation. (National Center for Employee Ownership)
Home Depot Partners with AARP To Draw Older Workers
Excerpt: "As shifting demographics change the way employers seek talent, The Home Depot and AARP have announced a partnership to recruit, motivate and retain older workers for the home improvement retailer." (BenefitNews.com)
AICPA Launches Audit Quality Center For Benefit Plan Audits
Excerpt: "The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) announced this week the formation of an Audit Quality Center for CPA firms that audit employee benefit plans. This Center has now begun accepting member applications, and is the second of three AICPA Audit Quality Centers to be launched in recent months." (AccountingWEB)
Evelyn Petschek Promoted (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "Replacing [Mark] Brown as chief of staff to the [IRS Commissioner] will be Evelyn Petschek. Petschek is currently the commissioner of the Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division." (Internal Revenue Service)
Newly Posted Events
Fundamentals of Qualified Plans Seminar
in Washington on June 10, 2004
presented by SunGard Corbel
412(i) and Beyond - What the New Rules Mean for Me
Nationwide on March 30, 2004
presented by SunGard Corbel
Fundamentals of Qualified Plans Seminar
in Illinois on May 20, 2004
presented by SunGard Corbel
HR Management Training & Certification Program
Nationwide on March 11, 2004
presented by HRcertification.com
Performance Management Training & Certification Program
Nationwide on March 11, 2004
presented by HRcertification.com
Recruiting & Hiring Training & Certification Program
Nationwide on March 11, 2004
presented by HRcertification.com
Compensation Training & Certification Program
Nationwide on March 11, 2004
presented by HRcertification.com
Weekend Review Courses for ASPA Consulting Exams
in Pennsylvania on April 24, 2004
presented by Course Instructors
Newly Posted Press Releases
HRcertification.com Launches New Training & Certification Programs Geared To Educating HR, Benefits, and Compensation Professionals
(HRcertification.com)
ICC Plan Solutions Joins First Trust Corporation’s Value-Added Services Program
(Metrics Partners)
America’s Health Insurance Plans Chart a Course for Improving Quality, Access and Affordability
(America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP))
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Attorney
for Stoel Rives
in WA
Benefits Analyst
for Morrison & Foerster LLP
in CA
Defined Contribution Administrator
for San Diego Pension Consultants
in CA
Senior Business Analyst
for Linea Solutions
in CA
Human Resources - Benefits Administrator
for Uline
in IL, WI
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