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July 11, 2003 - 8,367 subscribers
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Baucus Expects HSA Provision to Be Dropped in Medicare Bill Conference Agreement
Excerpt: "[On July 9] Senate Finance Committee ranking member Max Baucus, D-Mont., said that the health savings account (HSA) provision in the Medicare Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Bill of 2003 (HR 1) is in 'a precarious position,' and he expects that it will be dropped in the final conference agreement." (Tax.CCHGroup.com)
Challenge for Public Sector Employers: Affording Retiree Health Coverage (PDF)
Excerpt: "This Public Sector Letter discusses plan design alternatives that sponsors of public sector retiree health plans may wish to consider to temper costs while preserving much-appreciated health benefits for retirees. There are four key areas on which plan sponsors may wish to focus in redesigning their retiree health plans to be more efficient, equitable and affordable without shifting an untenable level of cost to participants: ..." (The Segal Company)
What's Your Strategy for Controlling Healthcare Costs? (PDF)
32-page slide presentation. (Aon Consulting/Radford Surveys)
AAHP Calls For Presidential Candidates To State Positions on Malpractice
Excerpt: "Shortly after Senate Democrats on July 9 blocked a Republican backed bill (S 11) that would cap noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits at $250,000, the American Association of Health Plans called on the Democratic presidential candidates to 'take a stand on the issue,' the AP/Foster's Daily Democrat reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Wall Street Journal Examines Medicare Reform Debate
Excerpt: "In three feature stories July 11, The Wall Street Journal examines the Medicare reform debate and the effects the proposed legislation could have on the prescription drug industry, pharmacy benefit managers and private health plans." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Opinion: Allowing Reimportation of Drugs from Canada Unlikely to Produce Cost Savings in Long Run
Excerpt: "It is unlikely that pharmaceutical companies would continue to provide Canada with deeply discounted drugs if reimportation were allowed. A more likely result is that the pharmaceutical companies would start demanding more money for their prescription drugs when negotiating with the Canadian government.... There is very little chance, based on economic principles, that prescription drugs would, in fact, become cheaper in the U.S. if reimportation were allowed." (The Galen Institute)
California Bill Gains Steam; Would Prohibit Hospitals from Charging More to Uninsured Patients
Excerpt: "Hospitals in California could not charge most uninsured patients more than they bill health plans for the same care, under legislation that cleared a key state panel Wednesday. Defeating AB 232 by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Alameda, has been the No. 1 priority of the hospital industry, which beat back similar legislation last year in the Senate Health Committee." (Sacramento Bee via International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
IRS Attacks Transfers of Compensatory Stock Options to Related Parties
Excerpt: "IRS is mounting a multi-pronged attack against (1) employees who attempt to defer income and employment taxes by transferring their nonstatutory compensatory stock options to related parties, and (2) the promoters of such schemes." (RIA Tax News)
Investors Hail Shift in Use of Stock Options
Excerpt: "[T]he fact that Microsoft's plan isn't being labeled a giveaway is a sign that the software giant designed its plan to appease large shareholders. And it's working -- so far. Several large investors, including some pension funds that invest in Microsoft, said they wanted to study the details of Microsoft's plan but were optimistic the plan was better than previous restricted-stock grants." (The [San Jose, Calif.] Mercury News via Yahoo! News)
Microsoft Plan Would Revive Underwater Options
Excerpt: "The investment world was abuzz yesterday over an unusual proposal that comes along with Microsoft's landmark decision to stop giving its employees stock options. As part of planned its switch from options to actual stock, the Redmond company is working with investment bank J.P. Morgan Chase on an arrangement that would allow its employees to wring a modest return from stock options that have otherwise been rendered worthless by the company's declining share price." (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer via International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
In Silicon Valley, Pressure for Stock Grants in Lieu of Options
Excerpt: "Silicon Valley companies, which were already re-examining their compensation packages, are feeling increased pressure to alter their pay practices in light of Microsoft's decision to change the way it pays its 50,000 employees." (New York Times; one-time registration required)
Employee Ownership Update for July 10: Microsoft Replaces Stock Options with Restricted Stock
NCEO Executive Director Corey Rosen discusses Microsoft's decision to replace stock options with restricted stock; a new stock option policy from the California state retirement systems; and FAS 150, which could have catastrophic effects for some ESOPs. (National Center for Employee Ownership)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Legal Consultant
for Hewitt Associates, Inc
in GA
ERISA Attorney
for Ward, Rovell & Van Eepoel, P.A.
in FL
Pension Software Business Analyst
for Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc.
in IL
Benefit Consultant
for Independent Benefit Services
in MD
Benefits Administrator
for Independent Benefit Services
in MD
Benefits Communication Specialist
for Weyerhaeuser
in WA
Group Account Manager
for Great Lakes Employee Benefit Services, Inc.
in MI
Newly Posted Conferences
(Post Yours!)
Legislative Update featuring Congressman Rob Portman
in OH
August 7, 2003
ASPA Benefits Council of Greater Cincinnati, Midwest Benefits Conference & the Cincinnati/Dayton Chapter of ISCEBS
Newly Posted Press Releases
(Post Yours!)
Compass Group North America Points to Workscape for Online Benefits Administration
(Workscape)
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Search BenefitsLink
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research
- Employee Benefits Library
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