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May 18, 2004 - 8838 subscribers
Today's sponsor: Employers Health Conferences

(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)

National Health Benefits Conference And Expo
"Managing Health Benefits Cost And Productivity:
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• Advanced Health Care Cost Strategies For Employers •
Providing Actionable Information For Your Workplace Through:
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Discount:  $80 off the registration price.
For example, Employer price reduced from $275 to $195

(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
EEOC Officials Defend ADEA Retiree Health Decision
Excerpt: "Responding to negative reaction about the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's recent decision to allow employers to drop retirees' health benefits once they become eligible for Medicare, EEOC Commissioner Leslie Silverman on Monday defended the move at a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, saying it was intended to 'preserve benefits,' the Chicago Tribune reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)

Health Policy Experts Say Bills To Address Issue of Uninsured Are 'Not Real Solutions'
Excerpt: "Health policy experts said the handful of bills proposed by Congress during 'Cover the Uninsured Week' were 'notable mostly for their modesty' and were 'not real solutions,' despite claims by politicians from both parties that reducing the number of uninsured is a 'top priority,' CongressDaily reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)

Overview: IRS Issues Guidance on How HSAs Interact With Health FSAs and HRAs
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: While the IRS previously has approved an HRA design that allows employees to 'spend down' their accrued HRA balance after terminating employment, this Ruling goes further when it approves an HRA design that reimburses only expenses incurred after retirement." (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA))

Termination of Employee With AIDS For Threatening Coworkers Did Not Violate ADA, FMLA
The termination of an employee with AIDS who threatened to harm other employees did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This was the decision of the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Buie v. Quad/Graphics, Inc. (No. 03-2026). (Spencer Benefits Reports)

Sixth Circuit Holds Action to Enforce Plan Reimbursement Provision Under ERISA Is 'Legal'
QualChoice, Inc. v. Rowland (6th Cir. 2004). Excerpt: "[T]he court ultimately concluded that the source of the administrator's claim was 'a contract to pay money' and that an action to enforce a plan reimbursement provision 'is a legal action, regardless of whether the plan participant . . . possesses that recovery in an identifiable fund.'" (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA))

Caesars Betting Onsite Pharmacy Will Yield Savings
Excerpt: "The company's pres.cription drug-related costs totaled $32 million last year. VP Gary Earl says that instead of focusing on cutting benefits, the company is opening up a pharmacy at its hotels in Las Vegas and Atlantic City." (Workforce.com)

Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

New Search Engine for BenefitsLink; Faster, More Comprehensive, More Options
And it's about damned time. We're still improving this one; more features to come! Feedback appreciated at davebaker@benefitslink.com (BenefitsLink.com, Inc.)

Newly Posted Events

For Advisors: How PLANSPONSOR Can Help You Expand Your Business
Nationwide on May 27, 2004
presented by PLANSPONSOR

Form 5500 Preparation Workshop
in District of Columbia on June 9, 2004
presented by International Society of CEBS - Capital Chapter

PLANSPONSOR Pathfinder Demo
Nationwide on May 25, 2004
presented by PLANSPONSOR

Ten Tips for a Successful Search
Nationwide on May 20, 2004
presented by PLANSPONSOR

Update on Recent HSA Guidance
Nationwide on June 3, 2004
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Newly Posted Press Releases

Benefit Advisors Network Adds Dominion Benefits
(Benefit Advisors Network)

New Retirement Planning Software Update Addresses Long Term Care
(Metrics Partners)

American Express Retirement Services Debuts NEXTPlan
(American Express Retirement Services)

Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

Pension Administrators/Consultants
for Pension International Dynamics, Inc.
in NY

Plan Document Consultant
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in NY

Benefits Manager (Service Delivery Manager)
for Towers Perrin
in VA

Actuarial Associate- Retirement
for Towers Perrin
in CT, DC, GA, MA, NJ, NY, PA

Director of Retirement Plan Sales and Marketing
for The Ganim Group, Inc.
in CT

Senior Benefits Consultant
for Hewitt Associates
in LOCATION OTHER THAN U.S.

401(k) Plan Administrator
for Pension Services Network, Inc.
in WI

Director Financial Control, Output Services and Tax Reporting
for ADP Retirement Services
in NH

Defined Benefit Client Account Manager
for New York Life Investment Management LLC
in MA

Account Manager
for Wall Street Access
in NY

Account Executive-San Mateo
for Transamerica
in CA

Retirement Plan service associate
for West Los Angeles
in CA

HR Benefit Services Manager
for Safeco Life & Investments
in WA

Account Manager for Employee Benefits Consulting Brokerage Firm
for Madison Benefits Group
in TX

Pension Administrator
for PennRock Financial Advisors, N.A.
in PA

Health Benefit Analyst
for Conrad Siegel Actuaries, The Employee Benefits Company
in PA

Regional Sales Director - Mid Atlantic Region & Pacific West Region
for The Newport Group
in CA, NC

Retirement Plan Sales Consultant
for Invesmart, Inc.
in CT, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NY, OH, RI, VA, WI

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