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September 11, 2002 - 7,257 subscribers
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Bush Administration Indicates Support for Medical Error Reporting Bill
Excerpt: "The Bush administration on Sept. 10 endorsed a bill (HR 4889) designed to reduce medical errors by encouraging health professionals to voluntarily report any problems, the Hartford Courant reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)

IRS Changes Date for Welfare Benefit Trust Hearing
The public hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 5 has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 14, 2002. Excerpt: "This document changes the date and location of a public hearing on proposed regulations relating to 10 or more employer plans under section 419 of the Internal Revenue Code." (Federal Register)

Wall Street Journal Examines States', Insurers' Efforts To Combat Rising Prescription Drug Prices
Excerpt: "The Wall Street Journal on Sept. 11 examines several programs aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs. Last fall, for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan launched a campaign that asks doctors, pharmacists and patients to prescribe and take generic drugs, rather than brand-name treatments." (KaiserNetwork.org)

Legislation on Health Benefits for Retired Steel Workers Stalled in House Committee
Excerpt: "A bill (HR 4646) that would provide as much as $13 billion for retired steel workers' health insurance is more than 40 votes short of the 217 needed to move the bill out of committee and onto the House floor, Bloomberg/Baltimore Sun reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)

Oregon, Other States Consider Universal Health Systems
Excerpt: "The Business Journal of Portland on Sept. 6 examined actions considered by several states to implement universal care systems. During the November elections, Oregon residents will vote on the only universal health care initiative in the country ..." (KaiserNetwork.org)

Welcome to new BenefitsLink advertiser Benefit Express
Excerpt: "Benefit Express offers state-of-the-art administration and enrollment services. If your organization wants to control costs, redeploy internal resources and improve service, we can help. Now more than ever, your business faces tougher competition in a fast-paced environment. From events-based total outsourced administration to special group services, Benefit Express offers administration services and support for only those areas relevant to your business."


Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Many CEOs Are Retaining Extra Benefits in Retirement
Excerpt: "Some investors and corporate-governance experts have criticized the benefits, calling them another sign that company boards too often choose the welfare of executives over that of shareholders. Once executives retire, they should pay for their expenses with the millions of dollars they received in salary, bonus and stock, rather than using company money, the critics say." (New York Times; free registration required)

Stock Option Expense To Hit Small Companies Hardest
Excerpt: "Accounting for employee stock options as an expense is likely to hurt the bottom lines of small companies more than those of their larger counterparts, according to a top analyst of small-cap companies." (Reuters via CNET.com)

SEC Reviewing NYSE AND NASDAQ Proposals for Revised Corporate Governance Standards
Excerpt: "[T]he New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq) have each submitted proposals that overhaul their respective corporate governance listing standards to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its review and required approval.... The proposed standards require listed companies (other than controlled companies) to have compensation committees comprised solely of independent directors." (McDermott, Will & Emery)

How to Tie Pay to Goals, Instead of the Stock Price
Excerpt: "Finding and retaining executives who are committed to helping a company grow over the long run might stop the cycle of skyrocketing pay and dwindling tenure. It might also help to curb the anything-goes ethics that led to the type of excesses seen at companies like Enron and WorldCom." (New York Times; free registration required)



Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings - Post a Help Wanted Ad

Senior Pension Attorney
in OR
Standard Insurance Company, Portland, OR

Benefits Administrator
in VA
Hunton & Williams

Newly Posted Webcasts (Post Yours!)

Hearing: Reducing Medical Errors
on September 10, 2002
Kaisernetwork.org

Newly Posted Conferences (Post Yours!)

Fiduciary Responsibility and Corporate Retirement Plans
in NC
October 2, 2002
CapTrust Financial Advisors

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