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	<title>Ken Mensio, CEBS &#187; Health Care Reform</title>
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	<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog</link>
	<description>Current Topics in Employee Benefits</description>
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		<title>Benefits Barometer</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/benefits-barometer/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/benefits-barometer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:21:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[401K]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surveys: Employee Benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[benchmark your benefits costs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retirement plans and overall benefits management]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=911</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. In the world of employee benefits, the pressures are ever-changing and ever-increasing. Whether dealing with health care reform compliance, meeting fiduciary obligations in your 401(k) plan or launching a wellness initiative, the pressures and demands of your job just keep growing. One pressure that never eases - for benefits pros and CFOs alike - is the demand for data. With that in mind, this year's Benefits Barometer offers you more than a dozen charts designed to help you benchmark your benefits costs, health plans, retirement plans and overall benefits management. Special thanks to the agencies, consulting firms and advocacy groups that contributed to this year's Benefits Barometer: <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/benefits-barometer/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>9 out of 10 business owners: no gov’t health insurance for us!</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/9-out-of-10-business-owners-no-gov%e2%80%99t-health-insurance-for-us/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/9-out-of-10-business-owners-no-gov%e2%80%99t-health-insurance-for-us/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:45:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[independent business owners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPACA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sentiment Survey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Business Authority]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=903</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Based on a November poll of more than 1,000 respondents, the Small Business Authority Market Sentiment Survey reveals concerns of independent business owners. Only 9% of respondents believe they will have to purchase health insurance from the government while 53% believe the cost of health care is going to increase in the next two years. <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/9-out-of-10-business-owners-no-gov%e2%80%99t-health-insurance-for-us/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>House Panel Votes to Repeal CLASS Act</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/house-panel-votes-to-repeal-class-act/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/house-panel-votes-to-repeal-class-act/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:20:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Long-Term Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CLASS ACT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[long-term care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LTC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPACA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=888</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Members of the health subcommittee at the House Energy and Commerce Committee today passed H.R. 1173, a bill that would officially kill a federal voluntary long-term care (LTC) benefits program, by a voice vote.
H.R. 1173, the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act bill, would repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program provisions that were part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA).
 <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/house-panel-votes-to-repeal-class-act/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>11th Circuit on PPACA: Can’t Make &#8216;Em Buy Broccoli</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/11th-circuit-on-ppaca-can%e2%80%99t-make-em-buy-broccoli/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/11th-circuit-on-ppaca-can%e2%80%99t-make-em-buy-broccoli/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:50:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Court of Appeals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health care reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[individual mandate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=826</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ A 3-judge panel at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has declared the individual health insurance ownership mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to be unconstitutional. <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/11th-circuit-on-ppaca-can%e2%80%99t-make-em-buy-broccoli/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Flurry seen ahead for health plan exchanges</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/flurry-seen-ahead-for-health-plan-exchanges/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/flurry-seen-ahead-for-health-plan-exchanges/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:49:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Plan Exchanges]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=818</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By David Albertson
August 1, 2011
Government and industry experts say recent guidance from the federal government will hasten development of state purchasing exchanges, which will in turn affect employers’ long-range benefit sponsorship decisions.
 Experts say that over the next 18 months, states will be learning more about expectations, potential models and necessary partnerships. The 230-page, July 11 issuance from Health and Human Services Department was examined at a Washington, D.C. program sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center and Kaiser Family Foundation.
 To date, the government has distributed $326 million to states seeking to establish health insurance exchanges outlined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, only 14 states have passed laws enabling legislation. Many expect a flurry of activity in the next session of state legislatures, beginning in January 2012, while others will proceed via Executive Order.
Efforts will depend on the fragile economic recovery affecting state revenues. Ray Scheppach, a University of Virginia professor and chair of the BPC Health Project Insurance Market Reforms Initiative, says there are likely to be ongoing tensions between state and federal governments about exchange implementation rules. However, he reports substantial state support for exchanges, which he believes will live up to their roles as “laboratories of democracy.”
Others believe exchanges can help educate consumers on health plan choices and costs, leading toward smart purchasing choices. That’s also important for employers, who will begin making “play or pay” benefit sponsorship decisions.
The goal of exchanges, to create a more organized and competitive insurance market, would offer a choice of health plans, establish common rules for offering and pricing insurance and help consumers understand their options. States electing to be involved are required to demonstrate a viable exchange program by Jan. 1, 2013, and be operational with an exchange by Jan. 1, 2014. The exchanges will be open to employers with up to 100 employees in 2014. States will allow employers with more than 100 employees to purchase coverage for workers through an exchange, at which point pay-or-play decisions will have even more variables in 2017.
Thus far it appears that exchanges will fall into one of four categories:
1. Information aggregator: Delivers bare-bones capabilities to meet legislative requirements. Enrollment transactions are passed on to health plans’ web sites.
2. Retail-orientation: Creates a retail shopping experience with robust service capabilities. Offers a broad range of products varying by price, design and consumer assistance capabilities.
3. Guided exchange: Limits carriers through competitive selection process. Products may be standardized. Potential interim model for states short on funding.
4. Market curator: Robust end-to-end consumer experience from shopping to enrolling. Limits carriers through competitive selection process. Extensive customer service.
Through the latest HHS guidance, federal officials have demonstrated flexibility and willingness to “meet states where they are” in 2013, according to Steve Larsen, director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Center for Consumer Information and Oversight.
Source: Employee Benefits News article used by permission.

 <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/flurry-seen-ahead-for-health-plan-exchanges/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Gang of Six: Kill CLASS; Cut Social Security, Health Spending</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care/gang-of-six-kill-class-cut-social-security-health-spending/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care/gang-of-six-kill-class-cut-social-security-health-spending/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:36:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CLASS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPACA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=810</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One specific recommendation calls for eliminating the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) long term care program. The CLASS Act is supposed to create a voluntary, worker-funded LTC program. Critics have argued that the program would be actuarially unsound and eventually would have to charge higher and higher rates as healthier workers began to avoid it.
The proposal would encourage Congress to reform or replace the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate formula and offset the cost with savings on other health care expenditures. A parenthetical note in the proposal seems to suggest that drafters believe that move could save $298 billion over 10 years.
The drafters say the government also should seek $202 billion in additional health savings while maintaining the essential health care services on which the poor and elderly depend. 
 <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care/gang-of-six-kill-class-cut-social-security-health-spending/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Milliman: Health Costs Rise 7.3%</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/milliman-health-costs-rise-7-3/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/milliman-health-costs-rise-7-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 22:08:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=749</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The cost of health care for a typical family of four has increased 7.3% this year, to $19,393. 
Milliman Inc., Seattle, has published that figure in its 2011 Milliman Medical Index report, which is based on the analysis of the cost of a typical preferred provider organization plan.
The rate of increase is down from 7.8% in 2010, but employees' share of total costs has increased to about 40%, from about 37% in 2005, Milliman says.
This year, increases in the cost of hospital care accounted for a disproportionate share of the overall increase. The cost of inpatient hospital care increased 8.6%, and the cost of outpatient care increased 10%.
Milliman also looked at costs in 14 major markets.
In 6 of the 14 markets, typical health coverage costs for a family of four already exceed $20,000, Milliman says.
Phoenix had the cheapest coverage; there, the annual cost of a plan for four is about $17,300.
 <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-insurance/milliman-health-costs-rise-7-3/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>High court rejects early review of PPACA challenge</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/high-court-rejects-early-review-of-ppaca-challenge/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/high-court-rejects-early-review-of-ppaca-challenge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:52:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=736</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Marli D. Riggs April 25, 2011 The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) to expedite review of Virginia’s lawsuit challenging PPACA’s individual mandate. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) posted on his &#8230; <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/high-court-rejects-early-review-of-ppaca-challenge/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Proposed FSA tweak doesn’t go far enough, critics say</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/proposed-fsa-tweak-doesn%e2%80%99t-go-far-enough-critics-say/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/proposed-fsa-tweak-doesn%e2%80%99t-go-far-enough-critics-say/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:18:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FSAs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=724</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Bruce Shutan March 17, 2011 Benefit professionals have tirelessly lobbied for an end to the so-called use-it-or-lose it rule governing pretax employee contributions to a flexible spending account, which is now the centerpiece of a bipartisan proposal in Congress. &#8230; <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/proposed-fsa-tweak-doesn%e2%80%99t-go-far-enough-critics-say/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Legal Alert: Employers&#8217; concerns over PPACA carry some weight</title>
		<link>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/legal-alert-employers-concerns-over-ppaca-carry-some-weight/#utm_source=feed&#038;utm_medium=feed&#038;utm_campaign=feed</link>
		<comments>http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/legal-alert-employers-concerns-over-ppaca-carry-some-weight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:06:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ken Mensio</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Care Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PPACA]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/?p=717</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By Kate Bongiovanni March 11, 2011 It appears that employers can be optimistic that federal agencies are reviewing and considering their public comments on regulatory guidance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In November 2010, the Departments of &#8230; <a href="http://www.csibenefits.us/blog/health-care-reform-2/legal-alert-employers-concerns-over-ppaca-carry-some-weight/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>]]></description>
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