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The BenefitsLink Newsletter -
Welfare Plans Edition
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April 26, 2001
Today's sponsor: The COBRA Administrator Handbook (click to order now) (click)


   The first and only compliance manual designed specifically
   for COBRA self-administration. Simple step-by-step
   format ensures accurate COBRA documentation, efficient
   record keeping and complete COBRA compliance protection.
   The only manual written by expert third-party
   administrators for COBRA nonprofessionals.


Virginia Beach Technology Company Finds Perks Can Draw Employees
Excerpt: "When Metro Information Services wants to woo good job candidates, recruiters there roll out one of their most tantalizing perks: access to company-owned condominiums in places such as Amelia Island in Florida or the Wintergreen resort in western Virginia." (Knight Ridder/Tribune)

Las Vegas-Area Businesses Put Perks to Work Attracting New Talent
Excerpt: "Las Vegas companies, which have been struggling to find workers in Southern Nevada's tight labor market, are adding inventive fringe benefits to attract and retain employees." (Knight Ridder/Tribune)

Extravagant Perks Lead to Aggressive Cost-Cutting for British Internet Firms
Excerpt: "Reductions in salaries are unthinkable because staff will simply leave and the emotive area of annual bonuses is also tough to tackle because -- while the banks might deny it -- many Christmas payments are fixed and, therefore, impossible to shrink or remove." (Knight Ridder/Tribune)

Senators Dismiss Potential 'No-Liability' Compromise on Patients' Rights
Excerpt: "While House members have 'floated' a 'potential compromise' on a patients' bill of rights that would not address the 'contentious' question of health plan liability, senators 'on both sides of the fight' said they would not accept such a measure, CongressDaily/A.M. reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)

Consumers Rank 'Right to Sue' Last Among Major Health Issues
Excerpt: "Consumers do not consider the right to sue health insurers over coverage issues a top healthcare priority, according to new survey data released by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA)." (Reuters via Medscape; free registration required)

North Carolina Patients' Rights Bill OK'd
Excerpt: "Legislation that would create a so-called 'Patients' Bill of Rights,' including the right of patients to sue their HMOs in disputes over medical care, won the unanimous approval Wednesday of the state Senate." (Raleigh [NC] News Observer)

Insurance Affects How Mothers Suffer Childbirth Pain
Excerpt: "Whether a laboring woman receives an epidural or other pain control, however, depends on her insurance type, a University at Buffalo study has found." (UniSci)

Health Plan Suits May Raise Premiums
Excerpt: "The latest plan for giving patients rights to sue their health plans could increase the typical yearly insurance premium by 4.2 percent, or roughly $100, Congressional budget analysts say. One of the legislation's backers, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said the estimate, issued earlier this week, proves the price of helping patients is not astronomical." (Associated Press)

Policy Group: MSA Expansions Could Drive Up Health Insurance Premiums and Create New Tax Shelter
Excerpt: "Few would propose yet another tax cut targeted towards the affluent that also increases health insurance premiums for the sick. That is the probable consequence, however, of the Administration's budget proposal to expand Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs). Representative Bill Thomas has introduced a nearly identical bill." (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)




Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings (Post Yours!)
Implementation Project Manager for Fidelity Investments
in MA
Communications Consultant for New York Life Benefit Services
in MA
401K Administration Manager for Paycor
in OH
Retirement Sales Consultants for Invesmart
in CO, NC
Investment Services Officer for CitiStreet - A State Street and Citigroup company
in MA
Senior Communications Project Manager for CitiStreet - A State Street and Citigroup company
in MA
Health Management Consultant - DH-001229-005 for Hewitt Associates LLC
in VA



Newly Posted Conferences (Post Yours!)
Weathering the Economy in GA on August 24, 2001
presented by AH Enterprises, Inc.



Newly Posted Press Releases
Secretary of State Cathy Cox to Address Changes in Employment Law at Arnall Golden Gregory Seminar (Arnall Golden Gregory LLP)

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