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National Business Group on Health Newsletter, April 2013

Articles include: [1] Employer Investments in Improving Health; [2] Employers Blast Fees From New Health Law; [3] Reshaping Health Care: Best Performers Leading the Way; [4] Employee Health-plan Options Shrinking to One with a High Deductible; and [5] Are CDHP Enrollees the Ultimate Health Care Consumers?

Statement of National Business Group on Health: Hearing Titled 'Addressing the Health in Health Care: Nutrition, Prevention and Wellness Practices' (PDF)

9 pages. Excerpt: Today's hearing is focused on defining efforts in health care, industry and communities that are effective in addressing the problems of poor nutrition, obesity, and related chronic disease. These are problems affecting every state, including Nebraska. Adult obesity rates continue to rise in 23 states, and have not decreased in any state; Nebraska ranks 20th among states in adult obesity prevalence (Trust for America's Health, 2009). Rates of obesity among children (2 -19) have more than tripled since 1980 and may have leveled off; CDC research reports no statistically significant change between 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 (Ogden et al., 2008).

Newsletter from National Business Group on Health, June 2013

Articles include: [1] Final Wellness Program Rules; [2] Health Care's Service Fanatics; [3] AAFP, Others Urge Hospitals to Stop Early Elective Deliveries; [4] Employees Opening Health Savings Accounts in Record Numbers; [5] Wal-Mart's Super Counterintuitive Health Care Plan; and [6] Designing Benefits That Fit the Need.

'In the News' Newsletter by the National Business Group on Health, February 2014

Topics include: [1] Another modest rise for health care costs; [2] Drug shortages still have major impact on patient care; [3] E-cigarettes spark debate; [4] Employers focus on financial wellness; and [5] Health care costs higher for smokers after surgery.

National Business Group on Health Sees Profound Implications for Corporate Wellness Programs from EEOC Lawsuit Against Honeywell International

"The EEOC is suing Honeywell International over a wellness program that provides financial incentives to employees and their spouses who undergo biometric screenings and participate in smoking cessation programs.... Wellness programs with incentives for biometric screenings are prevalent: According to a survey by the National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments, 95% of employers offer a health risk assessment, biometric screening or other wellness program in 2014. About three in four (74%) employers use incentives to engage employees in these programs." [EEOC v. Honeywell Int'l Inc., No. 14-cv-04517-ADM-TNL (D. Minn., petition filed Oct. 27, 2014)]

National Business Group on Health Newsletter, May 2013

Articles include: [1] When Your Surgery Goes Wrong, Hospitals Profit; [2] Implementing PPACA: The Time is Now; [3] A Debate on Not Hiring Smokers; and [4] A Sharp Rise in ADHD Diagnosis.

21 Business Group Members Recognized by Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for 'The Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in America'

Excerpt: The list [names] the top 100 organizations that provide exceptional support to employees who adopt.

ERIC and NBGH Urge Supreme Court to Consider Petition to Overturn San Francisco Health Ordinance

Excerpt: The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) and the National Business Group on Health (NBGH), Washington, D.C.-based trade associations that represent America's major employers, [on July 10, 2009,] urged the Supreme Court to grant the petition by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association asking the Court to review the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association vs. City and County of San Francisco.

NBGH Annual Survey Shows Companies Expanding Wellness Programs to Focus on Improving Employees' Emotional and Financial Well-Being

"This year's survey results indicate employers recognize a 'healthy' employee may be affected by non-health factors and are including programs to address emotional and financial needs rather than focusing solely on physical health. In 2016, 87% of employers offer emotional or mental well-being programs and 76% provide financial health programs. When employers were asked about well-being programs in the future, 67% plan to expand their efforts and an additional 17% plan to maintain at the current level."

Large U.S. Employers Predict 7% Increase in Health Care Benefit Costs in 2014

"The cost of providing employee health care benefits at the nation's largest employers is projected to increase 7% in 2014 -- the third consecutive year employers have budgeted this amount, according to a new survey by the National Business Group on Health ... The survey -- one of the industry's first look at costs and plan design changes for 2014 -- also found that some employers believe health insurance exchanges could be a viable option for certain populations. Additionally, more companies plan to offer workers a consumer-directed health plan as their only health benefits option in 2014."