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July 15, 2004
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Senate Drug Import Bill Debate Sought This Year
Excerpt: "Bipartisan proponents of legislation to allow legal imports of inexpensive drugs from Canada said on Wednesday growing voter ire over the high cost of medication should give the Senate incentive to act this election year." (Reuters via New York Times; one-time registration required)

House OKs pact with Australia Limiting Drug Reimportation
Excerpt: "The House yesterday approved a free-trade agreement with Australia, brushing off concerns that the pact would limit importation of cheaper generic drugs, and could hurt beef and dairy industries." (Washington Times)

Drug Import Forces Take One Step Forward, Two Back
Excerpt: "[A]t a rally sponsored by the senior group AARP Wednesday, importation backers said they are confident. 'Over time, we'll win,' said Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona. 'I don't know when it will happen, but it will happen.'" (Reuters via Medscape; one-time registration required)

Statement of Administration Policy on Australia Trade Agreement (PDF)
1 page; no express mention of the provision restricting drug reimportation. Excerpt: "The Administration strongly supports H.R. 4759, which will approve and implement the U.S.- Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as signed by the United States and Australia on May 18, 2004." (White House)

Springfield, Mass. Has Saved $2.5 Million by Reimporting Drugs from Canada
Excerpt: "[W]hat looks like a rousing success in Springfield remains the focus of intense fighting in Congress, the courts, the presidential campaign and in the marketplace. More than a dozen cities and states have followed Springfield's lead, ignoring the admonitions of Bush administration officials and drug companies who say purchasing medications outside the United States is dangerous and illegal." (Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Recent Rx Developments Affecting Coverage (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "Escalating prescription drug benefit costs continue to plague health plans. Several significant new developments concerning prescription drugs have implications for that coverage." (The Segal Company)

States Eye Landmark Calif. Paid Leave Law
7/14/04. Excerpt: "An estimated 13 million employees in California have become the first in the nation to qualify for paid time off from work to care for a new baby or a sick relative. The program began July 1. At least a dozen other states are monitoring the law's effect on cost and productivity. NPR's Elaine Korry reports." (National Public Radio)

Being Forced To Move For Your Job
Excerpt: "More workers are facing a knotty work-family challenge: Relocating for your job. The summer moving season has sparked a boom in corporate transfers -- one sign that the economy, which has been giving mixed signals lately, is on track for a recovery." (Wall Street Journal via SFGate.com)

Overview: Report on Health Literacy
Excerpt: "The IOM Committee on Health Literacy released its report in April, 2004. The report is called Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion. This report examines the body of knowledge in the emerging field of health literacy, and recommends actions to promote a health literate society." (Institute of Medicine)

July 20, 2004 Issue of HSA Insider Online (PDF)
8 pages. (HSA Insider)

Cost of U.S. Health Insurance Scams Rising
Excerpt: "Blue Cross Blue Shield, whose health plans insure one in three Americans, said fraud costs soared 66% in 2003, highlighted by rises in prescription scams and unnecessary surgeries." (Reuters via Medscape; one-time registration required)

Association Group Insurance and Association Health Plans: They're Not the Same
Excerpt: "There has been much debate recently over the issue of Association Health Plans (AHPs) - insurance sold through associations under federal oversight. This debate has also been the source of much confusion for media, for legislators and for consumers in that they mistake AHPs for association group insurance, and vice versa. There are similarities between the two, but there are also distinct differences." (Council for Affordable Health Insurance)

Is a Health Savings Account the Right Prescription for You?
Excerpt: "Here's how to tell if a health savings account makes sense. Be warned, it's unlikely to cover your post-retirement medical bills." (BusinessWeek)

Considerations in Choosing a Pharmaceutical Benefits Manager
Excerpt: "The National Community Pharmacists Association has published this helpful article for benefits managers: '10 Questions That Benefits Managers Should Ask Their PBM.'" (BenefitsBlog)

Mid-Size U.S. Firms Stung by Rising Health Care Costs
7/14/04. Excerpt: "The rising cost of health-care benefits is squeezing U.S. businesses, especially mid-sized companies whose employees seem to be paying more -- and getting less. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports." (National Public Radio)

Opinion: Our Broken Health Care System
Excerpt: " The United States spends almost 15 percent of its income on health care, far more than other advanced countries. That's about $5,540 a year for every man, woman and child. Costs are rising four times as fast as wages. One informed estimate places the cost of employer-sponsored health care coverage for the average family at $14,500 in 2006, just two years from now." (David S. Broder in the Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Massachusetts Might Make Health Care a Legal Right
Excerpt: "Lawmakers on Wednesday took a step toward making Massachusetts the first state to make comprehensive and affordable health care a constitutionally protected right." (AP via Yahoo! News)

Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Some Are Pulling the Plug on HR Management Systems
Excerpt: "The complexity of installing and maintaining human resources management systems is prompting many companies to bypass them altogether. As large companies turn to total business process outsourcing, software companies could find themselves endangered, and are working hard to lock up contracts with outsourcing giants." (Workforce.com)

Cracking Employer Secrets
Excerpt: "Will this company be able to take care of me in retirement? ... Is the 401(k) program loaded with lousy funds? ... Is the company as family-friendly as it claims?" (BusinessWeek)

Newly Posted Events

Practical Tips For Successful HR Management In California
in California on August 10, 2004
presented by REACH Financial Group, LLC
Newly Posted Press Releases

First Program To Integrate Independent Payroll, Retirement and Financial Consulting Services in One Package
(Principal Financial Group)

Aetna Launches Employee Assistance Program; New Program Provides Means to Manage Work/Life Issues
(Aetna)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

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

Senior Plan Administrator
for Galusha, Higgins, & Galusha, P.C.
in MT

401(k) Administrator
for Rockford Pensions, LLC
in DE

Enrollment Coordinator, #0401461
for Manulife Financial, Glendale, CA
in CA

401(k)/PS Plan Administrator
for Southern Pension Services
in FL

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