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January 23, 2004 - 8,783 subscribers
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California Mandatory Health Insurance Law Heads for Vote
Excerpt: "Californians will get to vote on whether to overturn a landmark health insurance law that would require many of the state's employers to offer health insurance to workers, an appeals court ruled Thursday." ([San Jose] Mercury News)
N.J. Governor Proposes Paid Leave for Parents
Excerpt: "A new proposal from New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey would guarantee full-time workers two days of paid leave for handling their children's medical emergencies and academic activities." (BenefitNews.com)
Health Plans Consider Making the Business Case For Prevention
Excerpt: "Health plans have been slow to integrate prevention programs into their business plans. But HealthLeaders Research Senior Correspondent John Harkey says some health plans are experimenting with ways to change that." (HealthLeaders)
Small Biz Groups Have Mixed Opinions on Association Health Plans
Excerpt: "One of the most vocal pro-AHP groups is the Associated Builders and Contractors, which represents 23,000 construction firms, most of them small businesses.... But not all small business advocates believe AHPs are the solution. Todd McCracken, president of the Washington-based National Small Business Association, worries that AHPs may 'do more harm than good.'" (AP via New York Times; one-time registration required)
Opinion: It's Time for Association Health Plans
Excerpt: "[T]hey would address an important problem: the steep costs small businesses must pay to offer medical coverage." (USA Today)
Opinion: Association Health Plans Would Hurt Consumers
Excerpt: "AHPs offer little help to employers and would strip away critical state consumer protections from coverage sold to small employers -- with no replacement." (Scott P. Serota of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, in USA Today)
Kennedy Healthcare Proposal Also Supports Employer-based System
Excerpt: "Kennedy's bill, the Health Security and Affordability Act (http://www.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/04/01/2004122520.html), touts importing pr*scription drugs from Canada, closing coverage gaps in the newly approved Medicare law, and building upon the employer-based system to make 'health care a reality for all Americans.'" (BenefitNews.com)
Increasing Health Care Costs Continue To Erode Retiree Health Care Benefits
One out of ten employers eliminated subsidized health care benefits for future retirees during the past year, and 20% indicate that they are likely to terminate retiree health coverage for future retirees in the next three years, according to research recently conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey also found that 71% of surveyed firms increased retiree contributions to premiums in the past year, and 86% plan to increase such contributions within the next three years. (Spencer Benefits Reports)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
A Global Demographic Time Bomb
Excerpt: "A shocking report released at the World Economic Forum lays out how aging and falling populations could slam world growth." (Business Week)
2003 Legislative and Regulatory Year in Review and the Outlook for 2004
Excerpt: "Congress failed to extend some expiring tax provisions before adjourning in December, and pledges to act early in 2004 to provide a seamless extension of these laws." (Hewitt)
Newly Posted Events
Health Action 2004: Families USA Annual National Grassroots Meeting
Nationwide on January 22, 2004
presented by Kaiser Family Foundation
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in California on July 19, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Health Plan HIPAA Privacy Teleconference
in California on February 25, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in Nevada on September 2, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Advanced Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in Florida on October 2, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in Florida on March 8, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in Arizona on March 22, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in District of Columbia on June 14, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Certificate in Employee Benefits Law Seminar
in Florida on July 12, 2004
presented by Institute for Applied Management & Law, Inc.
Newly Posted Press Releases
Treasury and IRS Shut Down S Corporation ESOP Abuses
(Internal Revenue Service (IRS))
New EBRI Research: Defined Contribution Worker Coverage Grows; Retirement Savers Continue Reliance on Stocks
(Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI))
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Defined Benefit Implementation Specialists
for Constantin Control Associates
in IL, NJ, NY, PA
Retirement Plan Specialist
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in IA
Tax Manager - Benefits/Compensation
for JCPenney Company
in TX
Communication Director
for Cigna
in CT, IL, TX
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Search BenefitsLink
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research
- Employee Benefits Library
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