Louisiana Legislators Pass New Retirement Benefit for Themselves
Bayou Buzz, LA -
As Forgotston, a former legislative fiscal analyst, told Bayoubuzz.com, “This new perk not only costs us taxpayers more money, but it puts a further load on the state employees´ group health insurance program by keeping the leges onboard. The more load put on the system, the larger the amount of the taxpayers´ share of each participant´s premium. The perk eventually will likely mean an increase in the employee´s portion of the premium. This will mean that state employees will either take home less money or will have to be given raises. All at OUR expense.”
2006-06-19
Attention News/Insurance/Health Editors:
Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada -
Several sources indicate that costs related to absenteeism represent 15% to 20% of payroll expenses in Canada SAINTE-JULIE, June 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Groupe Verrier Novatech and Systèmes Novasol of Sainte-Julie join the "Healthy Living" program offered by La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services to improve the overall health of their 350 employees. To launch the health promotion program, the employees set a goal of 40 million steps (approximately 28,000 km) over the next six weeks. La Capitale is the first insurance company to offer its group insurance clients a pre-packaged program that lets them raise awareness and mobilize people towards better lifestyle habits. Novatech was made aware of La Capitale's "Healthy Living" project thanks to the initiative of Samson Groupe Conseil, a firm specializing in actuarial services. "The evaluation of a company's health goes well beyond just financial data, points out Mr. Fernand Ouellet, President of Groupe Verrier Novatech and Systèmes Novasol. The health of employees directly impacts the health of the company. As a responsible employer and informed business people, we must take appropriate measures to offer our employees the tools to improve their lifestyle habits, thereby improving their health condition. We are very pleased that Samson Groupe Conseil told us about this initiative from La Capitale for the implementation of a program that will certainly have positive effects on the company, but that will first and foremost let all of our employees feel better in their everyday lives, both at home and at work." "We want to be true partners in improving the company's overall health, says Robert St-Denis, Chief Executive Officer of La Capitale's Personal Insurance Sector. As an insurer, our role is on the front line, to deal with the phenomena related to increasing health costs. We are well positioned to provide new viable and lasting avenues. The Healthy Living program is one of the most promising innovative approaches that lets us act where we have the power to change things, by encouraging the staff of our corporate clients to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and to be in better shape, thereby improving their work environment and their quality of life. We take our hats off to Groupe Verrier Novatech and Systèmes Novasol for their initiative and vision, and we guarantee them and their employees total support." "We are proud to be associated with Groupe Verrier Novatech in this project, whose values coincide with those of our company with respect to the promotion of health, states Jean Samson, President of Samson Groupe Conseil. We congratulate Groupe Verrier Novatech and Systèmes Novasol for exhibiting leadership by seizing this opportunity to play a role in their employees' wellness." A Toolbox for Health -------------------- When the "Healthy Living" program is launched with a corporate client, La Capitale develops a profile of the health insurance and disability insurance claims and takes an internal survey. Then, based on this group health profile, an action plan, including an assortment of tools, guides the company's Health Committee. Amongst the elements of the toolbox, you'll find:
2006-06-18
AMA: Health Insurance Should Be Required
First Coast News, FL -
That means the law would apply to individuals who earn at least $49,000 annually and families of four with an income of at least $100,000. Those individuals and families account for about 11 percent of the nation's 46 million uninsured, or about 5 million Americans, the AMA said.
2006-06-16
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
OregonLive.com, OR -
The document has moved
2006-06-15
The Next Move on Health Care Reform
FOX News -
But not all states are advancing mandates, or new penalties on employers and individuals for not providing or purchasing coverage. In Wisconsin, the state legislature passed legislation that would provide HSA consumers with a 6.5 percent credit for the amount claimed on federal taxes. Governor Jim Doyle, however, said he would veto the bill as he did an earlier version in 2004. In Colorado, Governor Bill Owens vetoed legislation that would have required employers to report the number of employees who receive government-sponsored health insurance.
2006-06-14
Senator urges tax breaks on small business employee health
Eyewitness News, RI -
Kerry was in Springfield yesterday in support of small businesses, which he noted are responsible for two-thirds of all jobs created in the country.
2006-06-13
Insurance legislation could ease workers' burden
News-Leader.com, MO -
A state act, known as the Small Group Reform, protects small businesses those with 25 employees or fewer from steep increases in health insurance by forbidding insurers from raising the premiums beyond what a state formula would allow.
1. Bill of health? New legislation may cure your health insurance pains
THE SENATE may finally be ready to provide what many entrepreneurs believe will be an Rx for their health insurance woes. As has happened in Congresses ...
2. Health of a nation: entrepreneurs are sick of sky-high health insurance premiums, and the government is scrambling for reform. But can uncle Sam save the
Like The Who''s Pete Townshend, Alex Mann, CEO of Clicktime.com, a San Francisco applications services provider that makes products to track time sheets ...
3. Increasing health insurance costs and the decline in insurance coverage
Objective. To determine the impact of rising health insurance premiums on coverage rates.
4. Welfare reform and health insurance of immigrants
Objective. To investigate the effect of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) on the health insurance coverage ...
5. Insurance giant offers e-health programs to its employees: Manulife''s corporate customers with group policies will be able to offer the services to their
MANULIFE FINANCIAL WILL BE OFFERING e-health options for employees through provider Wilson Banwell-Human Solutions. Manulife is linking its intranet ...