Business Group Resources and Publications

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		Health Reform (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) Implementation and Communications Toolkit (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually)     Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Communicating with C-Suite     Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Communicating with Your HR Department     Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Communicating with Employees     Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Communicating with Retirees     Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Timeline of Key Employer Provisions     Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Frequently Asked Questions     Public Policy Alert - Congress Passes Landmark Health Insurance Changes     Final Health Reform Law Provisions
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		Financial Incentives for Healthy Lifestyles (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually)     Financial Incentives: How to Avoid Five Common Pitfalls     Issue Update: Summary of the Current Evidence Base for Financial Incentives     Voluntary Wellness Program Incentive Strategies     About the Institute
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		Purchaser's Guide to Clinical Preventive Services (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually)     A Purchasers' Guide to Clinical Preventive Services     Preface (A Message from Helen Darling)     Introduction     Acknowledgements Sections include:     Part 1: The Role of Clinical Preventive Services in Disease Prevention and Detection     Part 2: Summary Plan Description (SPD) Language Statements for Recommended Clinical Preventive Service Benefits (Word format)     Condition Specific Information (46 Clinical Preventive Service Topics)     Part 3: Evidence-Statements for Recommended Clinical Preventive Service Benefits     Condition Specific Information (46 Clinical Preventive Service Topics)     Part 4: The Prioritization of Clinical Preventive Services in a Strategic Implementation Plan     Part 5: Clinical Preventive Services: C and D Recommendations and I Statements of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)     Part 6: Leveraging Benefits: Opportunities to Promote the Delivery and Use of Preventive Services     Part 7: Resources & Tools     Recommended Schedule of Preventive Care for Adults     Recommended Schedule of Preventive Care for Children and Adolescents     Recommended Schedule of Preventive Preconception, Prenatal, and Postpartum Care     USPSTF, NCQA HEDIS®, and Healthy People 2010 Crosswalk     Preventive Services Glossary     Cost-Calculators and Additional Resources     Condition Specific Information (46 Clinical Preventive Service Topics) Press     Press Materials     Press Release Presentations     Presentations     Press Teleconference: Helen Darling, Julie Gerberding, MD, and Carolyn Clancy     Using A Purchaser's Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Guidance for Employers Webinar     Using A Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Guidance for Healthcare Consultants Webinar Using A Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Guidance for Healthcare Consultants Webinar     Using A Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Guidance for Healthcare Companies Webinar     Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Moving Science into Coverage     Purchaser’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Moving Science into Coverage     Cancer Prevention and Early Detection: An Employer Perspective     Evaluation
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		Building Blocks for Health Engagement (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
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		LightenUP: A Worksite Approach to Promoting Healthy Weight Management (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
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		Ensuring Patient Safety Across Health Care (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Toolkit Components     Promoting Patient Safety: The Business Perspective     Employers as Hospital Board Members & Community Leaders: A Key Role in Ensuring Safe Hospital Care     Achieving Preferred Hospital or Center of Excellence Status     State Patient Safety Rules and Regulations (Reporting and Disclosure)     State Survey of Billing Policies When Medical Errors Are Involved     Employee Education     Medication Safety: Ten Tips to Protect Our Children     Patient Safety Glossary
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		Childhood Obesity: It's Everyone's Business (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
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		Helping Employees Choose the Right Hospital (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
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		Breastfeeding Programs and Policies in the Workplace (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
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		Using Information to Get High Quality Care (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Resources for the Employer     How to Use the Toolkit: The Basics     Communications Challenges     Technical Help Tools to Communicate with Employees     Good Quality Health care: What it is and why you can't take it for granted     How do we know which types of health care works best?     Information about health care quality: What it is     Tips on how to find information about health care quality     Making wise use of money spent on health care: Let's put quality first     To get better health care, be informed and involved     Tips for getting the care that works best for your condition     Tips for getting the right amount of care (as much as you need but no unnecessary care)     Summary of tips for getting good quality health care before, during and after a health care appointment     Tips on what to do before your health care appointment     Tips on what to do during your health care appointment     Tips for following through on treatment and managing your health     Health information on the internet: A checklist to help you judge which websites to trust     A list of recommended websites that have trustworthy health information
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		Healthy Lifestyles: Communications Strategies and Tips (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Using the Communication Toolkit     Communication Toolkit Strategy     Strategy Glossary     Glossary of Terms Employee Letters     General introduction     Cafeteria and vending machine changes     Health risk assessments Frequently Asked Questions     Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheets     Honing in on Children's Health     Let's Get Moving! Introducing our employee walking program     Preparing employees for a health risk assessment     Preparing employees for vending machine and cafeteria changes PowerPoint Presentation     PowerPoint Presentation (with speaker's notes) Employee Articles     Stop, Think, Eat Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think!     In Your Dreams     QUIZ: TEST YOUR HEALTH CARE KNOWLEDGE     In Your Dreams-Web Version     Fine Dining, Day and Night     Fine Dining, Day and Night-Web Version     QUIZ: Fine Dining, Day and Night Quiz     Childhood Weight: Headed for Disaster? Or Headed off at the Pass?     QUIZ: Childhood Weight: Do you know how to avoid it?     Childhood Weight: Headed for Disaster? Or Headed off at the Pass?- Web Version     Obesity: Personal Health, Cost and Productivity Consequences     QUIZ: Obesity—Do You Know the Consequences?     Inside the Winner’s Circle: How Leading Companies Win by Staying Healthy     Eating for two doesn’t mean Double the Portions     Test your Knowledge: What are the Consequences of Unhealthy Weight?     Fast Food does not have to Equal Fat Food     Dietary Guidelines 2005     Whistle While you Work...Out     Your Heart's Desire: Improving Coronary Health by Lowering Your Risk Factors     Real Goals for Real People: Healthy Resolutions that Stick     Real People: Healthy Resolutions that Stick-Web Version     Taming the Stress Eater Inside     A Call to Action From the Surgeon General     Healthy Eating, Healthy Life     So, What is Diabetes?     So, What is Diabetes?-Web version     Reversing the Effects of an Unhealthy Lifestyle     Rx: Exercise and Healthy Foods     Rx: Exercise and Healthy Foods Finding the Motivation to Live a Healthier Life - Web Version     Delicious, Nutritious! Healthy changes coming soon to vending machines and cafeterias     Calculating your BMI is Easy     Health Risk Assessments: One-on-one Support for Lifelong Health     Raising Healthy Children     Understanding WHY Health Care Costs are Out of Control Prevention Series Articles     Considering Fitness and Nutrition in Choosing a Day Care
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		Tobacco: The Business of Quitting (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
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		Starting a Weight-Management Program in Your Company (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Guide     Complete Brochure     Start Now—Act Now     Company Involvement     Predicting success and getting results     Business Sense     Start a Healthy Weight Culture     How to Choose a Program     Corporate Stories     Checklist for weight management success
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		Health Risk Assessment: A Road Map for Employers (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually)     Getting Started: Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Basics     Data Collection     Maximizing HRA Participation among Employees     Effective Communications Rollout     Call to Action     Appendices' and References
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		The Imperative for Health Reform: Position of the National Business Group on Health (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually)     Highlights of the National Business Group on Health's Position on National Health Reform     Details of the National Business Group on Health's Position Supporting an Individual Coverage Requirement     Details of the National Business Group on Health's Position Opposing an Employer Mandate     Details of the National Business Group on Health's Position Supporting the Federal Framework of ERISA     Details of the National Business Group on Health's Position Supporting the Maintenance of the Current Tax Treatment of Employer-Sponsored Health Care     The Imperative for Health Reform (Presentation)     Principles for Health Reform Detailed Position Statements on the Following Related Issues     Comparative Effectiveness Research     Evidence-Based Medicine     Health Care Legal Reform     Health Information Technology     Pay for Performance     Preventive Care     Primary Care     Quality and Safety     Transparency     Recommendations to States on Best Practices for Health Care Coverage     State Options for Reform that Do Not Affect ERISA
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		Maternal and Child Health (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Executive Summary & Part 1 - Maternal and Child Health: A Business Imperative     An overview of the toolkit and the business case for employer investments in maternal and child health. Maternal and Child Health Plan Benefit Model: Evidence-Informed Coverage     A description of the Maternal and Child Health Plan Benefit Model and guidance for its implementation; an actuarial analysis illustrating the financial impact of the Maternal and Child Health Plan Benefit Model on both HMO and PPO plan designs; and a cost Balanced Scorecard & Analysis Tools     Technical guidance for developing a maternal and child health balanced scorecard and strategy map; tools to identify and evaluate the relationships between maternal and child health outcomes and organizational performance; and an analysis tool to compare Healthy Pregnancy and Healthy Children: Opportunities and Challenges for Employers     Strategies to improve the health of women before, during, and after pregnancy; cost data on child illness/injury and pregnancy complications; key health issues for children and adolescents, and important prevention opportunities; information on the import Communication and Engagement: Incentivizing Prevention and Health Promotion     Open enrollment education strategies; information on assisting employees with limited health literacy; and guidance on effective strategies to engage beneficiaries in health promotion and disease management programs. Health Education Materials for Beneficiaries     Three fact sheets specifically designed for beneficiaries on important maternal and child health topics like Preconception, Prenatal, and Postpartum Care, Child Health, Adolescent Health, and Preventing Medical Errors. Resources for Employers     The Maternal and Child Health Benchmarking Crosswalk, which links Plan Benefit Model Recommendations to the 2007 HEDIS measures and the Healthy People 2010 Goals; cost-calculators; and additional resources for employers.
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		Lasting Weight Loss - The Top 12 Ways to Keep it Off (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) PowerPoint Presentation     Outlines the top 12 ways to keep weight off     Audio Presentation (MP3 Format) Articles Geared to Employers     Why Employers Should Help Employees Maintain Their Weight     Keeping Weight Maintenance Programs Fresh Articles Geared to Employees     How Getting Into an Eating Routine Can Help You Maintain Your Weight     Maintain Your Weight Loss by Eating 'Normally'     Good Reasons to Eat Wisely When You're Eating Out     Walk/Swim/Dance Your Way to Weight Maintenance     How Maximizing Muscle Can Minimize Weight Regain     Everyday Activity -- A Secret Strategy for Maintaining Weight Loss     The Importance of Keeping Your Eye on 'Number One'     The Right Mindset -- A Valuable Tool for Maintaining Weight     The Connection Between Weight Maintenance and Well-Being     How Realistic Expectations Increase the Odds of Lasting Weight Loss     Support: Everybody Needs Some     Family Members Can Boost Weight Maintenance Article Geared to Employers and Employees     Is Your Ideal Weight Only In Your Dreams? Reference Guide     Reference Guide
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		Healthy Dining at Work (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Cafeteria, Vending and Catering Assessments     Dining Facility Assessment     Vending Assessment     Catering Assessment     Definition Reference Guide Sample Request for Proposal     RFP and Contract Negotiation Guidelines     Tax Rules for Onsite Dining Facilities Training Guide     Food Service Trainer's Guide Consumer Brochures     Healthy Dining at Work     Healthy Dining at Home     Healthy Dining Away from Home
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		Consumer-Driven Health Care for Children (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually) Important issues related to consumer-driven health care for employers and employees     Introduction     What are Consumer-Driven Health Care Plans?     How to Design Consumer-Driven Health Care Plans     Making Smart Decisions: Helping Employees with a Family to Maximize Health Benefits     Using Incentives to Encourage Employer Participation     Communicating Consumer-Driven Health Care to Employees and their Families
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		Reducing Racial & Ethnic Health Disparities (Select this entry to request the entire toolkit)
		Show/Hide Toolkit Contents (which may be ordered individually)     Why Companies are Making Health Disparities Their Business: The Business Case and Practical Strategies (Analysis Paper)     Reducing Health Disparities: Why and How Companies Are Making It Their Business (Issue Brief)     Bridging Language and Culture Gaps in the Workplace (Issue Brief)
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		Hospital Care Continues to be Unsafe in 2010: What Can You (and Your Company) Do? (Webinar Presentation) Helen Darling and LuAnn Heinen of the Business Group provide an update on new research that shows hospitals are not much safer than they were 10 years ago and review 5 key levers available to large employers that will make a difference.	Aug 31, 2010
		Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Timeline of Key Employer Provisions (Chart) A chart highlighting the timeline of key employer issues in the final health care law.	Aug 31, 2010
		Comments to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury on Annual and Lifetime Limit Regulations and "Mini-Med" Plans (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted comments to the federal agencies on regulations regarding annual and lifetime dollar limits on benefits and "mini-med" or limited benefit medical plans.	Aug 27, 2010
		Health Care Law Implementation Forum (Webinar Presentation) Steve Wojcik, the National Business Group on Health's Vice President of Public Policy, will lead an informal discussion and question and answer session. We will focus on the latest employer plan issues in implementing the various provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.	Aug 27, 2010
		Letter to the ERISA Advisory Council with Recommendations to Increase the User-Friendliness of Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the ERISA Advisory Council at the U.S. Department of Labor with specific recommendations to increase the user-friendliness of Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs).	Aug 27, 2010
		10 Ways Employers Can Enhance Pharmacy Benefit Communications (Top Solutions) Provides 10 ways employers can enhance how they communicate with employees about pharmacy benefits.	Aug 26, 2010
		Designing a Full Replacement Plan (Webinar Presentation) The second in a four part webinar series that guides employers in implementing a full replacement plan; this webinar focused on how to design a full replacement consumer-directed health plan. An employer case study featured McKesson Corporation.	Aug 26, 2010
		Projections of Employer Health Care Costs in 2011 (Analysis Paper) Provides a summary of the latest findings from research and consulting firms on what employers can expect in terms of health care cost increases in 2011.	Aug 26, 2010
		Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Health Care Costs and Utilization (Evidence Alert) Summarizes a recent study by Towers Watson on key factors employers should consider in providing coverage for bariatric surgery.	Aug 25, 2010
		Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Health Care Costs and Utilization (Webinar Presentation) Bruce Kelley & Steven Nyce of Towers Watson discuss analysis of costs and outcomes for over 1600 obesity surgeries from the National Data Cooperative, a large employer data set. The analysis is remarkable for the length of pre- and post-surgery data collection -- each case was tracked for 12 months before and after the 3-month surgical treatment episode.	Aug 25, 2010
		Obesity and Metabolic Surgery: Critical Issue Update Webinar (Webinar Presentation) LuAnn Heinen, Vice President, National Business Group on Health and Director, Institute on Innovation in Workforce Well-being, reviews trends and resources on obesity and metabolic surgery.	Aug 25, 2010
		Interim Procedures for External Review and Model Notices for Internal Appeals and External Review (Policy Alert) The Departments of Treasury (Internal Revenue Service), Labor (DoL) and Health and Human Services (HHS) issued interim guidance on the federal external review process for non-grandfathered group health plans and model notices for internal appeals and external review.	Aug 24, 2010
		Comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on 2011 Proposed Medicare Part B Payment Changes (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted comments to CMS urging the federal government to fully transition Medicare to a pay-for-performance system based on quality and efficiency.	Aug 23, 2010
		Affordable Surveys of Patients About Doctors: Measuring and Improving the Patient-Physician Relationship (Webinar Presentation) Employees and consumers want patient ratings of doctors. Learn from representatives of Consumers' CHECKBOOK/Center for the Study of Services, FedEx, and UnitedHealth Group how all can work together to spread a program that will make this information available.	Aug 19, 2010
		Health Care Legislation- The Impact on Employers: C-Suite Series (Slide Deck) This short slide presentation provides the latest data on the impact of health care legislation on employers.	Aug 18, 2010
		Large Employers' 2011 Health Plan Design Changes (Public Report) (Survey Report) This report provides final results from our annual plan design survey. Topics covered include medical plan costs, pharmacy benefits, medical management initiatives, consumer-directed health care, retiree health, and plan design changes to health reform.	Aug 18, 2010
		Comments to the Secretaries of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury on Grandfathered Health Plan Status (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted comments on the Interim Final Rules for Regulations for Grandfathered Health Plan Status under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act).	Aug 16, 2010
		Health for Life: Health and Well-Being the Volvo Way in the USA, Volvo Group North America, 2009 (Best Practice) Volvo's Health for Life multifaceted program attacks obesity and various health issues inside and outside the workplace. The program has helped change the quality of people's lives, increased productivity and presenteeism.	Aug 16, 2010
		State Health Reform Proposals with Pay-or-Play Mandates (Chart) A regularly updated chart containing state health reform proposals with pay-or-play mandates from Alaska, Iowa, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.	Aug 16, 2010
		State Single Payer Health Reform Initiatives (Chart) A regularly updated chart containing state single payer health reform initiatives from California, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Vermont.	Aug 16, 2010
		The Business Case for Patient Safety: Why Employers, Hospitals and Health Plans Should Care (Issue Update) Even after non-payment policy implementation, the cost and productivity impact of preventable medical errors on employers makes a compelling business case for action.	Aug 12, 2010
		Comments to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury on Regulations Expanding Dependent Coverage of Children to Age 26 (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted comments on the Interim Final Rules for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Relating to Dependent Coverage of Children to Age 26 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act).	Aug 11, 2010
		Controlling Health Care Spending in the United States (Slide Deck) Looks at the drivers of health care spend and provides solutions that will help control costs and improve quality and effectiveness of care. This material is prepared to be adapted or customized for the unique culture and challenges of your company.	Aug 09, 2010
		Full Replacement Consumer-Directed Health Plans: Step-by-Step Guide to Implementation (Webinar Presentation) Many large employers are re-evaluating their strategies in response to the passage of this year's health reform legislation. Some are wondering if now is the time to drop traditional plans and offer only a consumer-directed approach. Join us for the first of a four-part webinar series that will guide employers in implementing a full replacement plan. Each installment will feature a case study from a large employer that has successfully executed this innovative tactic. Part I: Planning for Full Replacement focuses on the initial stage, highlighting key processes such as: Why move to full replacement; - What key data are needed to "make the case" for full replacement; - How to gain acceptance from the C-Suite; - How to define your consumerism strategy; and What are your options for implementation - piloting, phasing in or company-wide replacement. Speakers: -Nancy Brock, National Vice President, Consumer Strategy, UnitedHealthcare -Amy C. Green, Senior Team Leader of Global Benefits, Whole Foods Market	Aug 09, 2010
		Summary of Cost Analyses of Employment-Based Health Care (Report) Provides a succinct summary of the analyses conducted by benefits consulting firms.	Aug 09, 2010
		Final Health Reform Law Provisions (Chart) A chart that provides key details of the final health care law's provisions	Aug 05, 2010
		Large Employers' 2011 Health Plan Design Changes Results from the Annual Plan Design Survey (Webinar Presentation) Helen Darling and Karen Marlo present the results from the National Business Group on Health's 2011 Plan Design Survey. The survey focused on understanding what large employers predict their medical trend to be in 2011, the types of medical management initiatives they are currently using or planning to use, as well as the changes they are implementing as a result of the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.	Aug 05, 2010
		Federal Court Says State Suit May Proceed, Health Care Law Raises "Complex" Constitutional Issues (Washington Business Health Update) U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson denied the Department of: Justice's request to dismiss Virginia's challenge to the recent health care law that the individual coverage mandate is constitutional.	Aug 04, 2010
		House Democrats Push "Public Option" Bill Again (Washington Business Health Update) House Progressive Caucus Chair Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and 128 other Democrats reintroduced a bill that would establish a government-run "public option" that would be available through the state insurance exchanges.	Aug 04, 2010
		Senate Bill Would Ban Deals that Delay Market Entry of Generic Drugs (Washington Business Health Update) The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a provision by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), as part of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, that would make it illegal for brand and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to make deals that delay the market entry of generic drugs.	Aug 04, 2010
		Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) Introduces Bill to Repeal the Medicare Payment Advisory Baard (Washington Business Health Update) Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and other Republicans introduced a bill that that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that will recommend payment changes for various Medicare services (except for physicians and hospitals until 2020) to limit the rate of Medicare's spending growth.	Aug 04, 2010
		State Actions Opposing Federal Health Reform (Chart) A regularly updated chart containing state legislation, constitutional amendments, and ballot measures opposing federal health reform from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.	Aug 04, 2010
		Disease Management: Innovative Approaches in Evaluation and Engagement (Webinar Presentation) Brenda Motheral, PhD, President, CareScientific present s new measurement techniques for determining the true benefit from disease management programs.	Aug 03, 2010
		Large Employers' 2011 Health Plan Design Changes (Survey Report) This report provides final results from our annual plan design survey. Topics covered include medical plan costs, pharmacy benefits, medical management initiatives, consumer-directed health care, retiree health, and plan design changes to health reform.	Aug 01, 2010
		Department of Labor (DoL) Eases Mental Health Parity Compliance Somewhat (Policy Alert) The DoL modified the requirements for determining parity in treatment limits and cost-sharing and other financial requirements for outpatient services. Until the government issues final regulations, plans may divide outpatient services (both in- and out-of-network) into 1) office visits and 2) all other outpatient items and services.	Jul 30, 2010
		Health Reform Implementation Forum (Webinar Presentation) Steve Wojcik, the National Business Group on Health's Vice President of Public Policy, will lead an informal discussion and question and answer session. We will focus on the latest employer plan issues in implementing the various provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.	Jul 30, 2010
		Healthy Matures: Rules of Engagement for Workers Ages 65 and Older (Fact Sheet) Educates employers on characteristics of the Mature generation, discusses their health issues, and recommends programs and strategies that could be beneficial to this population.	Jul 30, 2010
		Innovatons In Plan Design: Better Health at a Lower Cost (Case Study) An new value-based benefit design product introduced by health plans in the Oregon market is designed to achieve up to 10% reduction in premium while addressing underuse of effective care and overuse of preference and supply-sensitive interventions.	Jul 30, 2010
		2010 Pharmacy Benefit Design Trends (Issue Brief) Provides employers with trends in pharmacy benefit design based on interviews with eight large employers, research from the field and the results of various surveys.	Jul 29, 2010
		Comments to Dr. Cathy Fomous Regarding the National Institutes of Health (NIH) plan to develop a Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted a letter to the NIH recommending a mandatory Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) due to concerns about the public's, the research community's and the provider community's ability to evaluate the quality and balance of information in a registry populated on a voluntary basis by the makers of genetic tests and the clinical laboratories performing them.	Jul 29, 2010
		Department of Labor Issues Fact Sheet on New Break Time Requirements for Nursing Mothers (Policy Alert) The Department of Labor (DoL) issued a Fact Sheet providing guidance for employers on the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (Affordable Care Act) amendment of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that requires employers to provide break times to nursing mothers.	Jul 29, 2010
		Health Promotion in a Global Context (Webinar Presentation) This presentation outlines specific challenges employers need to address in their global health communication efforts.	Jul 29, 2010
		The Effect of Health Reform on the Pharmacy Benefit (Issue Brief) Designed to help employers understand the implications of health reform for employer-sponsored pharmacy benefits and plan participants.	Jul 27, 2010
		Update on Implementation of Mental Health Parity (Slide Deck) In this survey, employers are asked what changes they have made or plan to make based on the rules released by the Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and Health and Human Services (HHS).	Jul 27, 2010
		Update on Implementation of Mental Health Parity (Quick Survey Results) In this survey, employers are asked what changes they have made or plan to make based on the rules released by the Department of Labor (DOL), Internal Revenue Services (IRS), and Health and Human Services (HHS).	Jul 27, 2010
		Federal Agencies Release Regulations on Plan Internal Appeals and External Review Processes (Policy Alert) The Departments of Treasury (Internal Revenue Service), Labor (DoL) and Health and Human Services (HHS) issued interim final rules that require non-grandfathered group health plans and health issuers to implement uniform internal appeals and external review processes.	Jul 23, 2010
		Behavior Change Communication Best Practices (Webinar Presentation) This presentation outlines best practices in global health communication.	Jul 22, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: HSAs or HRAs: Which Account is Best for Employees and Dependents?	Jul 20, 2010
		Using WISCORE, the Wellness Impact Scorecard to Evaluate Your Health Improvement Program (Webinar Presentation) Karen Marlo, Director of Benchmarking & Analysis and lead developer of WISCORESM, National Business Group on Health, explains how WISCORE can help measure the effectiveness of wellness programs.	Jul 20, 2010
		Screening Mammography (Employer Guide) One-page summary of screening mammography coverage, member education and vendor management recommendations for employers.	Jul 19, 2010
		Screening Mammography: Examining the Effectiveness of New Technologies (Benefit Manager Guide) Examines new and traditional breast cancer screening methods and makes benefit design and member education recommendations.	Jul 19, 2010
		Wellness Staffing and Administration (Slide Deck) Looks at how employers have organized their wellness departments, including how many staff members there are and for which wellness programs they are responsible.	Jul 19, 2010
		Wellness Staffing and Administration (Quick Survey Results) Looks at how employers have organized their wellness departments, including how many staff members there are and for which wellness programs they are responsible.	Jul 19, 2010
		Health Reform Implementation Forum (Webinar Presentation) Steve Wojcik, the National Business Group on Health's Vice President of Public Policy, will lead an informal discussion and question and answer session. We will focus on the latest employer plan issues in implementing the various provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.	Jul 16, 2010
		Federal Agencies Release Regulations on Health Plan Requirements for Preventive Services (Policy Alert) Non-grandfathered plans must cover the preventive services with no cost-sharing.	Jul 15, 2010
		Health Behavior Theory and Model Overview (Webinar Presentation) This presentation outlines various theories and models of health communication that large employers can use to discuss health and wellness with their global workforce.	Jul 15, 2010
		Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Introduce a Bill to Retroactively Extend Eligibility for Federal COBRA Subsidies (Washington Business Health Update) Senators Bob Casey and Sherrod Brown recently introduced a bill that would retroactively extend eligibility (from June 1 through November 30th) for 6 months of federal COBRA subsidies.	Jul 15, 2010
		War Supplemental Bill Includes Ban on Deals that Delay Market Entry of Generic Drugs (Washington Business Health Update) The House passed a war supplemental bill that would make it illegal for brand and generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to make deals to delay the entry of generics into the market.	Jul 15, 2010
		Benefits Communications Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: open enrollment 2011 communications and how to design messages that resonate with employees.	Jul 09, 2010
		Health Reform Implementation Webinar (Webinar Presentation) Join Steve Wojcik, the National Business Group on Health's Vice President of Public Policy, for an informal discussion and question and answer session. We will focus on the latest employer plan issues in implementing the various provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.	Jul 02, 2010
		Testimony to the ERISA Advisory Council on Health Care Literacy (Testimony) Helen Darling, President - National Business Group on Health, submitted testimony with employers' perspective on health care literacy to assist the ERISA Advisory Council develop recommendations to the Department of Labor (DoL) on standards for use by group health plans and issuers.	Jul 01, 2010
		Coverage of Autism (Quick Survey Results) Looks at the prevalence of coverage for autism, and asks about the costs experienced by employers who have added the benefit.	Jul 01, 2010
		Coverage of Autism (Slide Deck) Looks at the prevalence of coverage for autism, and asks about the costs experienced by employers who have added the benefit.	Jul 01, 2010
		Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Roundtable Discussion for Consultants (Webinar Presentation) Outlines the business case for effective child and adolescent mental health treatment as well as the recommendations contained in An Employers Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health.	Jun 29, 2010
		Congress Shelves COBRA Extension as President Signs Law Delaying Medicare Physician Pay Cut Until December (Washington Business Health Update) President Barack Obama signed a law that delays a 21% required cut in Medicare physician payments and instead will pay Medicare physicians a 2.2% increase through November 30th. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was forced by the Senate to remove provisions from the bill that would have extended unemployment benefits and eligibility for federal COBRA subsidies.	Jun 29, 2010
		HHS Now Accepting Applications for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (Policy Alert) The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (OCIIO) announced that it will begin accepting applications for approval to submit qualified claims for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.	Jun 29, 2010
		HHS Provides $250 Million to Increase Primary Care (Washington Business Health Update) Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced ½ ($250 million) of this year's $500 million in funding from the new Prevention and Public Health Fund, created under the new health care law, will support the training and development of more than 16,000 new primary care providers over the next 5 years.	Jun 29, 2010
		House Fails to Pass Work-Life Balance Award for Employers (Washington Business Health Update) The House defeated a bill that would have created an annual Department of Labor (DoL) Work-Life Balance Award that would have identified employers' with policies that foster employees' work-life balance and employers' compliance with both state and federal labor laws. In addition, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis also announced an extension of unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to unmarried and same-sex partners.	Jun 29, 2010
		Supreme Court Denies Review of San Francisco's Employer Health Coverage Ordinance (Policy Alert) The U.S. Supreme Court recently announced that it will not review the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision that San Francisco's "pay or play" ordinance does not violate the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).	Jun 28, 2010
		Agencies Release Regulations on Annual and Lifetime Limits and Pre-Existing Conditions Exclusions (Policy Alert) The Departments of Labor (DoL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury (IRS) released regulations on various aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) including rules clarifying allowable annual and lifetime limits and prohibited pre-existing conditions exclusions.	Jun 24, 2010
		Department of Labor (DoL) Clarifies FMLA Eligibility for Employees Taking Leave for Children (Policy Alert) Employees may take FMLA leave if they have either day-to-day responsibility for care of children or if they financially support them.	Jun 24, 2010
		The Grandfathered Plan Regulations (Webinar Presentation) John Piro and Jim Winkler of Hewitt Associates provide details on the grandfathered plan regulations, assess their implications for plan design, and outline the pros and cons of grandfathered versus non-grandfathered plans.	Jun 24, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Evaluating CDHP Performance from a Health Plan Administration Perspective.	Jun 22, 2010
		Reducing Unnecessary Emergency Room Use: What Employers Can Do (Top Solutions) Lists the strategies benefit managers can use to mitigate the growing trend of unnecessary emergency room use.	Jun 21, 2010
		Workers Who Can't Retire: Opportunities and Challenges (Report) This Report summarizes the presentations and conversations at the Cost Institute's November 2009 Workers Who Can't Retire Invitational Meeting.	Jun 21, 2010
		Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Panel Presentation - Cerner Corporation (Employer Summit Presentation) Platinum Award winning Cerner presents their Healthe Living Program.	Jun 15, 2010
		Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Panel Presentation - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Employer Summit Presentation) Silver-Award winning NRC presents their approach to employee health and wellness.	Jun 15, 2010
		Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Panel Presentation - Unilever (Employer Summit Presentation) Gold-Award winning Unilever presents their Unicare Health Management Program.	Jun 15, 2010
		Creating a Well-Being Movement at Target (Employer Summit Presentation) A Culture of Health isn't created, it's inspired by leaders who prioritize well-being. This presentation focuses on how Target created a Three Layers approach to Wellness: Laying the Foundation, Engaging Individuals and Supporting Networks.	Jun 15, 2010
		Employee Communications: Think Like a Marketer, Not an Educator (Employer Summit Presentation) Provides tips for utilizing common consumer marketing tactics in your health and wellness communication efforts.	Jun 15, 2010
		Healthy Lifestyle Programs: Cost-effective Tactics to Optimize Value (Employer Summit Presentation) Highlights emerging tactics to improve the ROI of wellness initiatives and highlights how one employer leveraged their onsite clinic to increase wellness program participation.	Jun 15, 2010
		Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation: Who, What and Why (Employer Summit Presentation) Highlights how the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (food and beverage manufacturers, retailers) and Kraft Foods are working to reduce obesity in the U.S. by 2015.	Jun 15, 2010
		How to Speak C-Suite: Making the Case for Wellness (Employer Summit Presentation) Presentation by Michael Critelli, former chairperson and CEO of Pitney Bowes.	Jun 15, 2010
		IBM's Personal Vitality Program (Employer Summit Presentation) Highlights how IBM's Personal Vitality rebate focuses on building and balancing energy for optimal health and connecting health with personal values and immediate benefits.	Jun 15, 2010
		Innovations in Engagement (Employer Summit Presentation) Provides employers a process to evaluate their current engagement tactics and develop customized next steps.	Jun 15, 2010
		Innovative Approaches to Employee Diabetes Management (Employer Summit Presentation) Platinum-award winning Michelin North America discusses their efforts to help employees and family members with pre- or chronic diabetes achieve their optimal health.	Jun 15, 2010
		Practical Applications of Behavioral Science in Health Care (Employer Summit Presentation) Highlights how properly framed employee communications and the use of choice architecture can significantly improve individual choices while remaining fully voluntary at the individual level.	Jun 15, 2010
		WISCORE 2010: Results, What They Mean, and How to Use Them (Employer Summit Presentation) Provides the latest benchmark data from WISCORE (Wellness Impact Scorecard) on wellness participation rates along with selected cost and outcome findings.	Jun 15, 2010
		Workplace Physical Activity: How Small Bouts of Exercise Can Improve Business and Health (Employer Summit Presentation) Highlights examples of two employers implementing short bouts of physical activity throughout the day.	Jun 15, 2010
		Workplace Physical Activity: How Small Bouts of Exercise Can Improve Business and Health (Employer Summit Presentation) Highlights the research behind short exercise breaks throughout the day.	Jun 15, 2010
		10 Low Cost Tips for Workplace Well-being (Employee Tip Sheet) Provides 10 low cost tips for workplace well-being programs, used by Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles winners.	Jun 14, 2010
		Agencies Release Regulations on Grandfathered Plans (Policy Alert) The Departments of Labor (DoL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury (IRS) released regulations earlier today on allowable benefit changes group health plans can make while continuing to maintain their grandfathered plan status.	Jun 14, 2010
		Employee Mindset: Survey Findings (Survey Report) This survey of 3,000 employees and dependents to understand their views on health, health care and healthy lifestyles.	Jun 14, 2010
		Employee Mindset: Survey Findings (Survey Report) This survey of 3,000 employees and dependents helps to understand their views on health, health care and healthy lifestyles.	Jun 14, 2010
		Employee Mindset: Survey Findings (Survey Report) This survey of 3,000 employees and dependents to understand their views on health, health care and healthy lifestyles.	Jun 14, 2010
		Bill by Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) Would Extend Tax Advantages for Employee Fitness/Exercise Benefits (Washington Business Health Update) Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced a bill that would eliminate the unfavorable tax treatment of employer subsidies to employees for exercise/fitness club memberships and for the purchase of exercise equipment.	Jun 10, 2010
		Nudges, Sways and Cues that Shape and Optimize Employee Health Decisions (Webinar Presentation) Business Group Sr. Manager, Brenna Shebel,discusses nudges, sways and cues that can help you design programs, benefits and the workplace environment that are conducive to effective employee decision making. She also shares practical communications tips based on consumer research conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and AcademyHealth.	Jun 10, 2010
		Senate Delays Tax Bill with COBRA Subsidy Extension, Freeze of Medicare Physician Pay Cut Over Cost Concerns (Washington Business Health Update) Because of continuing concerns from Republicans and moderate Democrats over the costs and impact on federal deficits, earlier this week, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) left provisions that would extend eligibility for federal COBRA premium subsidies until the end of the year and reduce Medicare physician payment "givebacks" out of a $140 billion tax bill.	Jun 10, 2010
		Talking with Retirees about Health Reform (Webinar Presentation) The National Business Group on Health and Benz Communications describe today's health care landscape from a retiree's eyes and how to get out in front of their questions. Learn practical tips to get objective information out to retirees quickly and to help you create a longer-term communication strategy.	Jun 09, 2010
		How Employees Use and Want to Use Social Media to Obtain Health Information (Survey Report) This survey looks at consumers' preferences around receiving communications from their employer through social media such as Twitter, Text Message or Facebook.	Jun 07, 2010
		Vision Benefit Coverage (Quick Survey Results) Determines how many employers are offering vision benefits, and what those benefits include.	Jun 07, 2010
		Vision Benefit Coverage (Slide Deck) Determines how many employers are offering vision benefits, and what those benefits include.	Jun 07, 2010
		Comments to Office of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Regarding Implementing the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent comments to HHS Office of Secretary applauding their efforts to quickly to implement the early retiree reinsurance program that will help assure early retirees that they will continue to have access to health coverage and will reward employers who provide this coverage.	Jun 04, 2010
		Letter to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Supporting Dr. Donald Berwick as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a support letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus urging the swift confirmation of Dr. Donald Berwick as the new Administrator of CMS.	Jun 04, 2010
		National Business Group on Health's Position Statement on Mandated Paid Sick Leave (Position Statement) The National Business Group on Health opposes a paid sick leave mandate that would raise labor costs, reduce global competitiveness, increase unemployment, jeopardize existing leave benefits, and limit employers' flexibility to design leave benefits packages for their unique workforces.	Jun 04, 2010
		Managing Back/Musculoskeletal Problems and Related Costs (Quick Survey Results) Looks at what kinds of programs employers have put in place to identify and manage their employees' back/musculoskeletal conditions, and how effective these programs have been so far.	Jun 03, 2010
		Managing Back/Musculoskeletal Problems and Related Costs (Slide Deck) Looks at what kinds of programs employers have put in place to identify and manage their employees' back/musculoskeletal conditions, and how effective these programs have been so far.	Jun 03, 2010
		Draft Application for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Now Available  (Policy Alert) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently posted on their website proposed drafts of the applications and instructions for completing the applications, for employers to participate in the early retiree reinsurance program.	Jun 02, 2010
		Projections of Employer Health Care Costs in 2010 (Analysis Paper) The table below provides a summary of the latest findings from research and consulting firms on what employers can expect in terms of health care cost increases in 2010.	Jun 02, 2010
		Letter to Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) Supporting a Bill that Would Allow Employers to Pay for or Subsidize Fitness Equipment and Exercise Fees Offsite Without Any Adverse Tax Consequences for Employees (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a support letter to Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) supporting a bill to remove the current tax disincentives to allow employers to pay for or subsidize fitness equipment and exercise fees offsite without any adverse tax consequences for employees.	Jun 01, 2010
		The Impact of Health Care Reform on Older Workers and Employers (Issue Brief) Details how the new health reform law effects older workers' health care options and the resulting impact it will have on the labor force.	May 28, 2010
		Talking to Your Employees about Health Reform (Webinar Presentation) Jennifer Benz of Benz Communications discusses the new world of employee benefits communication in the era of health care reform, including the emotional debate surrounding health care, tactical tips to get objective information out to employees quickly, and help to create a longer-term communication strategy.	May 27, 2010
		House Bill Would Extend Eligibility for COBRA Subsidies Until the End of the Year and Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cuts for 3 Years (Washington Business Health Update) This week, the House plans to vote on a $192 billion bill by Ways and Means Committee Chair Sandy Levin (D-MI) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) that would renew dozens of expired tax breaks; extend expiring unemployment benefits and eligibility for the federal COBRA premium subsidies until the end of the year (December 31); and delay scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments for 3 years. The current unemployment benefit and COBRA subsidy eligibility extensions will expire May 31st.	May 26, 2010
		National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Delays Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Recommendations that may Impact Quality Improvement Programs (Washington Business Health Update) The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) informed Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius that it will respond, but will not meet a June 1 deadline to establish a definition of medical loss ratio (MLR) that includes activities categorized as improving quality, as required by the new health care law.	May 26, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Tiered contributions associated with health and condition management.	May 25, 2010
		The Employee Health Mindset Views, Behaviors and Solutions (Webinar Presentation) National Business Group on Health and Hewitt Associates conducted a survey of over 3,000 employees as well as covered dependents of large employers. In this webinar they share: key findings on employee views about the responsibility they have to control their health and health care costs; insights into their behaviors--including what they say keeps them from getting and staying healthy; and solutions that will get you better results.	May 25, 2010
		IRS Announces HDHP and HSA Amounts for 2011 (Policy Alert) The IRS recently released the 2011 minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket limits for high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and the maximum contribution levels for health savings accounts (HSAs).	May 24, 2010
		Benefits Communications Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Employee Engagement and Using Communications to Change Behavior,	May 21, 2010
		Preparing for Open Enrollment and 2011: A Checklist for Plans in the Wake of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (Webinar Presentation) Business Group Vice President of Public Policy, Steve Wojcik discusses Preparing for Open Enrollment and 2011: A Checklist for Plans in the Wake of Health Reform.	May 21, 2010
		COBRA Administrators (Quick Survey Results) This survey asks which vendors employers are using to administer their COBRA program, and how satisfied they are with their vendors.	May 18, 2010
		Triple Aim in a Region (Webinar Presentation) Improving the US health care system requires the simultaneous pursuit of three aims: Population Health, Enhanced Individual Care, and Controlled Costs for a Population, otherwise known as the Triple Aim. Learn more about the Triple Aim, a strategic initiative being offered by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and how employers can be a driving force for Triple Aim improvement within a region.	May 17, 2010
		Childhood Obesity Interventions in On-Site Childcare Facilities (Quick Survey Results) This survey examines what types of wellness programs employers have in place in their on-site child care facilities for dependents of employees.	May 14, 2010
		Comments to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Quality Activities in Calculating Medical Loss Ratio Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (Comments and Letters) Comments to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Quality Activities in Calculating Medical Loss Ratio Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).	May 14, 2010
		Comments to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on Quality Activities in Calculating Medical Loss Ratio (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent comments to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on defining which activities improve quality under the classification of health plan expenses related to the calculation of Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) for its recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).	May 14, 2010
		House Hearing Focuses on Health Care Price Transparency (Washington Business Health Update) The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chair Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) held a hearing on 3 bills to increase transparency of health care prices.	May 13, 2010
		President Plans Patients' Bill of Rights (Washington Business Health Update) The President announced that the White House will release a "Patients' Bill of Rights" in June.	May 13, 2010
		Senate Bill Would Extend Eligibility for COBRA Subsidies and Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Until the End of the Year (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) proposed a bill linking controversial tax issues with the must-pass unemployment benefit and COBRA extensions until the end of the year to get the 60 votes necessary to pass a bill in the Senate.	May 13, 2010
		Federal Agencies Release Rules for Extending Dependent Coverage to Age 26 (Policy Alert) The rules clarify allowable employee contribution differentials for adult dependent coverage, prohibited dependent eligibility criteria and employer notification requirements.	May 11, 2010
		Patient-Centered Medical Home Pilot and Recognition Program Update (Webinar Presentation) Patricia Barrett, Vice President for Product Development, NCQA, provides a PPC-PCMH Recognition Program update including standards overview, program status and potential for employer involvement.	May 11, 2010
		The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Activities and Results: Why Should You Get Involved? (Webinar Presentation) Shari Erikson, Senior Associate, Center for Practice Improvement and Innovation, American College of Physicians describes the PCMH pilot update including payment approaches, pilot evaluation results, and how employers can encourage implementation of the medical home model.	May 11, 2010
		Cost Saving Tactics Webinar: Use of Dependent Eligibility Audits (Webinar Presentation) Joe Huxta from Volvo Group North America discusses their experience conducting a dependent eligibility audit in 2009 and quantifies the savings they realized as a result of dropping ineligible dependents from their health plan.	May 07, 2010
		Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Issues Rules for Early-Retiree Health Benefits Reinsurance Program (Policy Alert) HHS recently published the interim final rules (with 30-day comment period) outlining requirements for employers to qualify for reimbursements under the early-retiree health benefits reinsurance program of the health reform law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).	May 05, 2010
		Comments to Department of Labor on Regulations Implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent comments to the Department of Labor urging delay of effective dates and reconsideration of some aspects of the regulations to assure continuing access to mental health and substance abuse benefits.	May 03, 2010
		HHS Creates Office to Oversee Insurance Reforms (Washington Business Health Update) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius established a new Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, which includes 4 separate areas to address oversight, insurance programs, consumer support and health insurance exchanges related to the new health care reform law.	Apr 30, 2010
		House Committee Holds Hearing on Work-Life Balance Award for Employers (Washington Business Health Update) The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on a bill authored by Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA) that would create an annual Department of Labor (DOL) Work-Life Balance Award that would identify employers' with policies that foster employees' work-life balance and employers' compliance with both state and federal labor laws.	Apr 30, 2010
		President Nominates Patient Safety Expert Donald Berwick to Head CMS (Washington Business Health Update) The President nominated Donald Berwick, MD., a pediatrician, professor and president of the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI) that helps hospitals to eliminate errors and improve quality, to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).	Apr 30, 2010
		President Nominates Patient Safety Expert Donald Berwick to Head CMS (Washington Business Health Update) The President nominated Donald Berwick, MD., a pediatrician, professor and president of the Institute for Health Care Improvement (IHI) that helps hospitals to eliminate errors and improve quality, to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).	Apr 30, 2010
		Senate Budget Committee Outlines Health Care Priorities (Washington Business Health Update) The Senate Budget Committee passed Chairman Kent Conrad's (D-ND) bill that outlines the Senate's health care priorities for the rest of the year.	Apr 30, 2010
		An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Webinar for Health Plans (Webinar Presentation) Amy Reagin, Program Analyst at the National Business Group on Health, discusses why and how An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health was developed.	Apr 29, 2010
		An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health- Webinar for Health Plans- Background and Impact (Webinar Presentation) Joseph Hagan, Jr., MD, presents information regarding the epidemiology, costs, and employer impact of child and adolescent mental health problems.	Apr 29, 2010
		An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health- Webinar for Health Plans- ValueOptions® Presentation (Webinar Presentation) Christopher Dennis, MD, MBA, demonstrates strategies health plans can use to address child and adolescent mental health issues in their beneficiary population.	Apr 29, 2010
		Coverage of Dependents Until Age 26: Implementing the New Law (Quick Survey Results) Looks at what kind of changes employer will be making to their dependent eligibility requirements, both before and after, the legislation is enacted.	Apr 29, 2010
		EMPAQ® 2010 Data Submission Webinar for Prospective and Current Users (Webinar Presentation) EMPAQ® (Employer Measures of Productivity, Absence and Quality") is a set of standardized metrics and benchmarking tools developed by the National Business Group on Health that enables large employers to evaluate the effectiveness of their health and productivity management programs. The EMPAQ® 2010 Data Submission Webinar for Prospective and Current Users will provide background information about EMPAQ® metrics and reports, the data submission process and new enhancements.	Apr 28, 2010
		IRS Removes Tax Impediment to Immediate Coverage of Dependents to Age 26 (Policy Alert) The IRS removed a tax impediment to immediate coverage of dependents to age 26 and the federal employee plan delays change for dependents of government workers.	Apr 28, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Full replacement versus option only: Employers' experiences.	Apr 27, 2010
		Joint Employer Letter to OMB Director on Proposed Department of Labor Regulation on ERISA (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health, joining with other employers and employer groups, sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orszag asking that the OMB Director withdraw a recent Department of Labor regulation that would affect the federal framework of ERISA.	Apr 27, 2010
		Benefits Communications Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Legally-required documents and targeted messaging.	Apr 23, 2010
		Law Extends Qualification Period for COBRA Premium Subsidies through May 31, 2010 (Policy Alert) Plan participants who lost coverage due to involuntary termination of employment may retroactively qualify for subsidy.	Apr 19, 2010
		Update on Spousal Surcharges for Medical or Dental Coverage (Quick Survey Results) Examines whether employers are using surcharges for spouses of employees that are eligible for health insurance through their own employer.	Apr 15, 2010
		Assistive Technology - Speech Generating Devices (Quick Survey Results) This survey looks at whether employers are covering speech generating devices, and how they are covering the devices.	Apr 13, 2010
		Autism: Facts for Employers (Fact Sheet) This fact sheet provides an overview of autism and its treatment, as well as strategies employers can use to assist employees who are caring for a family member with autism.	Apr 08, 2010
		Innovative Rewards and Recognition Programs (Quick Survey Results) This survey looks at what kind of rewards and recognition programs employers are using to encourage innovative ideas in the workplace.	Apr 02, 2010
		E-Summit on Health Communications: Lessons from Consumer Marketing (Webinar Presentation) Presentation by nationally-recognized expert Dr. Punam Keller on 10 key principles to follow for your employee communications strategy, and real-life applications of each principle.	Apr 01, 2010
		Marketing Unilever's Health and Wellness Initiatives (Webinar Presentation) Unilever describes how they have successfully incorporated an external consumer marketing approach to internal communications.	Apr 01, 2010
		Targeted Marketing: How to Influence Health Plan Member Behavior (Webinar Presentation) Pitney Bowes describes how they have effectively used marketing tactics to develop an employee campaign that increases preventive care utilization, orients new employees to pharmacy benefits, and segments employees by pharmacy usage to lower costs.	Apr 01, 2010
		Congress Passes Landmark Health Insurance Changes (Policy Alert) The law has both immediate and long-term implications for employer-sponsored group health plans.	Mar 30, 2010
		Joint Letter to OMB Director Asking for Withdrawal of a Proposed DoL Regulation that Would Eliminate ERISA Preemption of State Law (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter Orszag asking for withdrawal of a proposed Department of Labor (DoL) regulation that would eliminate ERISA preemption.	Mar 29, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) Please join us as we discuss what we expect to be the final health care legislation. We will present key employer provisions, implementation dates, and other key impacts of the legislation.	Mar 26, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Financial management and retirement planning.	Mar 23, 2010
		Benefits Communications Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: Vehicles for Communicating to Employees	Mar 19, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This could be THE critical week for health care legislation in Washington. To hear the latest developments and have an opportunity to ask questions, please plan to participate in the Business Group's Weekly Health Reform Discussion Webinar at 3:00 pm on Friday.	Mar 19, 2010
		High Value for Hospital Care: High Value for All? (Report) This study, conducted by Milliman on behalf of the National Business Group on Health identifies 13 communities in the United States where hospitals deliver high value to commercial payers and Medicare.	Mar 18, 2010
		Joint Letter to Congress Supporting the Medicaid and Medicare Expansion of the Patient-Centered Medical Home in the Health Care Bill (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a joint letter to Members of Congress supporting the Medicaid and Medicare expansion of pilot-testing and implementation of the Patient-Centered Medical Home.	Mar 16, 2010
		Comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology with Recommendations on the Requirements for Certified Electronic Health Records (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology with recommendations for electronic reminders, eligibility and claims verifications, and the definition of "real time" in the requirements for certified electronic health records (EHR).	Mar 15, 2010
		Raising the Bar on Health Care: Moving Beyond Incremental Change (Survey Report) Provides a summary of the results of the NBGH/Towers Watch annual employer survey on purchasing value in health care.	Mar 15, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Employer Summit Notes) Employers discussed the challenges faced implementing and designing their CDHP.	Mar 10, 2010
		Cost Control Mechanisms I (Employer Summit Notes) Employers benchmarked on the innovative cost control tactics they implemented in their company.	Mar 10, 2010
		Cost Control Mechanisms II (Employer Summit Notes) Employers benchmarked on the innovative cost control tactics they implemented in their company.	Mar 10, 2010
		Employee Communications (Employer Summit Notes) Employers shared their innovative communication strategies and what successes they had seen.	Mar 10, 2010
		Financial Incentives (Employer Summit Notes) Employees benchmarked on their financial incentives they implemented in their plan design.	Mar 10, 2010
		Health Assessments and GINA (Employer Summit Notes) Employers discussed the challenges and changes made to their health assessments due to GINA.	Mar 10, 2010
		High Cost Claims Management (Employer Summit Notes) Employers shared strategies on how to manage their high cost claims.	Mar 10, 2010
		Plan Design I (Employer Summit Notes) Employers shared plan design changes they were planning for 2011.	Mar 10, 2010
		Plan Design II (Employer Summit Notes) Employers shared plan design changes they were planning for 2011.	Mar 10, 2010
		Strategies for Promoting Prevention (Employer Summit Notes) Employers discussed the innovative strategies they were trying to increase the use of preventive health services.	Mar 10, 2010
		Value-Based Plan Design (Employer Summit Notes) Employers discussed the challenges they faced in implementing a value-based plan.	Mar 10, 2010
		Congress Looks to Extend Eligibility for COBRA Subsidies to the End of the Year and Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cuts (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to pass a second "jobs" bill, expected to cost $149 billion, that would extend eligibility for the federal COBRA premium subsides until the end of the year (December 31) and postpone the 21% scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments until the end of the fiscal year (September 30).	Mar 09, 2010
		President Pushes Congress to Pass Health Care Bill (Washington Business Health Update) The President criticized insurers over rate hikes for individual insurance policies, called on the Senate to use the "reconciliation" short cut to pass the House changes to the Senate's health care bill and for the House to vote on the Senate-passed bill before Easter.	Mar 09, 2010
		Update on Gender Reassignment Benefits (Quick Survey Results) This survey is an update of a survey conducted in 2007, and it focuses on understanding what kind of gender reassignment benefits employers are covering.	Mar 09, 2010
		Benefits Contribution Strategies (Top Solutions) Provides a broad overview of five benefits contribution strategies, with major advantages, cost-shift analyses, employer examples and other considerations	Mar 05, 2010
		Five Key Facts: Financial Incentives for Healthy Lifestyles (Fact Sheet) Fact sheet detailing the most current statistics on employer use of financial incentives for healthy lifestyles.	Mar 05, 2010
		Joint Letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid and House Speaker Pelosi Asking for Delays in the Effective Dates for Key Health Care Provisions in Reform Bills (Comments and Letters) Joint Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging that the effective dates for the numerous changes to health plan benefits and policies be extended to help minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition for our employees, plan participants and customers.	Mar 05, 2010
		Updates from Local and Federal Public Health on H1N1 and Pandemic Preparedness (Conference Call Highlights) Dorothy Teeter and Michael Loehr of Seattle and King Countys Department of Public Health presented how business and public health can move forward given lessons learned from H1N1. Lisa Koonin of CDC gave an update on CDCs activities on H1N1 and pandemic preparedness.	Mar 05, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This call will focus on the details of the Presidents health care plan and its road ahead in Congress.	Mar 05, 2010
		Law Extends Qualification Period for COBRA Subsidies by One Month (Policy Alert) President Obama signed a law extending the qualification period for federal COBRA subsidies to people involuntarily terminated from employment through March 31, 2010.	Mar 04, 2010
		Letter from the National Business Group on Health to Senator Charles Schumer Supporting Reducing Overutilization of Medical Imaging (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) supporting his recent statement at the President's February 25th "Health Summit" to eliminate the abuse and overutilization of unnecessary and potentially harmful imaging services and urging the addition of a prohibition on Medicare physician self-referrals for the medical scans most prone to overutilization into any reconciliation, Medicare-related or other health care bill.	Mar 04, 2010
		Published Evidence for Value-Based Insurance Design (Webinar Presentation) Michael C. Sokol, MD, Corporate Medical Director, Merck & Co., Inc. reviews published evaluations of employer experience with value-based insurance design, noting fiscal results and planning considerations.	Mar 04, 2010
		Summary of the Current Evidence Base for Financial Incentives (Issue Update) A 2010 update on the evidence for and employer experiences with financial incentives.	Mar 04, 2010
		Value Based Plan Design: Real-World Experience and Employer Reaction (Webinar Presentation) Roger Merrill, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Perdue Farms, provides insights from the employer experience, including the most critical factor that drives employee behavior change and thoughts on using value-based design to slow utilization of low-value services.	Mar 04, 2010
		Value-Based Design: Employer Perspective (Webinar Presentation) Trevor Fast, Health Management Consulting Practice, Hewitt Associates, discusses lessons learned in Hewitt's Value-Based Design Health Value Initiative with focus on the analyses employers should undertake in order to design a benefit that will meet objectives.	Mar 04, 2010
		Voluntary Wellness Program Incentive Strategies (Chart) A chart detailing the incentive programs of twenty Business Group member companies, including the type of incentive, incentive requirements, total annual value and outcomes achieved.	Mar 04, 2010
		King County - Local Public Health Update (Slide Deck) Dorothy Teeter and Michael Loehr of Seattle and King County's Department of Public Health discussed challenges and lessons learned from the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic.	Mar 03, 2010
		Are Group PFFS Medicare Advantage Plans an Endangered Species? (Webinar Presentation) This webinar provides the facts about how legislation which goes into effect on January 1, 2011 impacts national, group Medicare Advantage plans. Featured speakers Pat Dunks of Milliman and Bruce Merlin Fried of Sonnenschien discuss the legislation and its implications for employers. Noel Obourn of Extend Health shares case studies from employers including Caterpillar, Eastman Chemical and Union Pacific Railroad who have made strategic pre-emptive changes to their retiree benefit plans to protect their retirees against this uncertainty.	Mar 01, 2010
		House Passes a Bill to Regulate Insurers at the Federal Level (Washington Business Health Update) By an almost unanimous vote, the House passed a bill by Representative Tom Perriello (D-VA) that would allow the federal government to prosecute insurers for violations of antitrust law.	Mar 01, 2010
		President's Summit Highlights Party Differences on Solutions (Washington Business Health Update) President Obama led a meeting with congressional leaders on the issues of health care cost, insurance market reform, deficit reduction and coverage expansion in an attempt to gather enough support to salvage passage of a health care bill.	Mar 01, 2010
		Senate May Pass 1-Month Extension, Expansion of Eligibility for COBRA Subsidies and Delay Medicare Physician Payment Cuts (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) temporarily delayed passage of a House-passed bill that would extend a number of expiring tax provisions, extend eligibility for federal COBRA subsidies by 1-month, unemployment benefits until April 5, and a retroactive fix to temporarily delay Medicare physician payment cuts until March 31.	Mar 01, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) Please join us for our health reform conversation where we will discuss the Presidents health reform proposal and offer our analysis of Thursdays health care summit. As always, we look forward to a lively question and answer session.	Feb 26, 2010
		Purchasing Value in Health: Preliminary Findings from the 15th Annual National Business Group on Health/Towers Watson Employer Survey (Survey Report) This brief provides a review of selected findings from the annual employer survey on purchasing value in health care.	Feb 25, 2010
		Department of Labor Introduces New Medicaid and SCHIP Premium Assistance Model Notice (Policy Alert) The Department of Labor (DoL) has released a model notice employers can use to notify employees when premium assistance is available through Medicaid and SCHIP in their states of residence. Employers are not required to send notifications to employees if they do not reside in states where premium assistance is available.	Feb 24, 2010
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: 2010 and 2011 CDHC Plan Design.	Feb 23, 2010
		Improving Health Outcomes in 2010: Results from the Joint National Business Group on Health/Fidelity Investments Survey (Issue Brief) Provides a summary of the types of programs and investments that employers are making in improving their employees' health	Feb 22, 2010
		The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Webinar Presentation) This webinar provides an in-depth review of the new regulations and helpful hints for determining parity of mental health and substance use disorder benefits.	Feb 22, 2010
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Urging the Senate to Minimize COBRA Costs and to Tie Medicare Physician Reimbursements to Pay-for-Performance (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to use the recent removal of the provisions to extend the COBRA subsidies and Medicare physician reimbursements from the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act as an opportunity in future bills to reduce the costs and administrative burden of COBRA coverage and to tie pay-for-performance to any restoration of planned Medicare physician reimbursement cuts.	Feb 19, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) As the President calls for a bipartisan, bicameral, public meeting of Congressional leaders and the Administration on health care, what is the likelihood of an agreement? Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will provide a quick update and the latest from Washington. Afterward, we look forward to questions and comments.	Feb 19, 2010
		An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health (Webinar Presentation) Amy Reagin, Program Analyst at the National Business Group on Health, discusses why and how An Employer's Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health was developed.	Feb 17, 2010
		An Employers Guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Background and Impact (Webinar Presentation) Joseph Hagan, Jr., MD, presents information regarding the epidemiology, costs, and employer impact of child and adolescent mental health problems.	Feb 17, 2010
		Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Employer Recommendations (Webinar Presentation) Allan Kennedy, former Regional EAP Administrator at BellSouth, discusses practical recommendations for the comprehensive delivery of employer-sponsored child and adolescent mental health benefits.	Feb 17, 2010
		Update on Incentives/Disincentives Based on Health Outcomes (Quick Survey Results) Explores whether employers are offering any financial incentives to employees based on changes in health risks such as weight or BMI.	Feb 15, 2010
		House Plans to Pass a Bill to Regulate Insurers at the Federal Level (Washington Business Health Update) Due to 2 paralyzing snow storms, the House postponed until after President's Day a vote on a bill by Representative John Conyers (D-MI) that would allow the federal government to prosecute insurers for violations of antitrust law.	Feb 11, 2010
		Initial Senate "jobs" bill includes extension of Cobra subsidies, postpones Medicare physician payment cuts until October. (Washington Business Health Update) The President reiterated plans for a televised February 25th meeting with Republicans and Democrats in an attempt to revive the health care legislation. President Obama also unveiled his 2011 $3.8 trillion budget proposal which assumes passage of the House and Senate health care "reform" bills.	Feb 11, 2010
		President Proposes Bipartisan "Health Summit" (Washington Business Health Update) The President reiterated plans for a televised February 25th meeting with Republicans and Democrats in an attempt to revive the health care legislation. President Obama also unveiled his 2011 $3.8 trillion budget proposal which assumes passage of the House and Senate health care "reform" bills.	Feb 11, 2010
		States Move Forward with Health Care Bills (Washington Business Health Update) A number of states, including California and Virginia, have introduced health care "reform" legislation, some in response to the possible lack of federal legislation and some in response to potential federal legislation.	Feb 11, 2010
		Targeted Messaging Webinar Series: Reaching Specific Population Segments Part III - Decentralized Employees (Webinar Presentation) Individual decisions account for a significant portion of a person's overall health status. Learn how decentralized employees  those based in the field or working in a small location  differ from other employee groups in regard to their health activities, preferred communications vehicles, and how they view communications from their employer. ARAMARK, a professional and food services provider, will share how it met the challenge of engaging a large number of diverse employees at widely-scattered locations by: * Using a multi-modal strategy to reach all employee preferences; * Establishing a consistent look and feel to communications; * Optimizing audio conferencing and webinars; and * Re-marketing valuable existing resources. Speakers: Mari Fulginiti - Director, Communications, ARAMARK Brenna Haviland Shebel  Senior Manager, National Business Group on Health	Feb 09, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) The Business Group will continue its weekly updates on Congress' next moves and decisions about the future of the health care reform legislation. Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will provide a quick update and the latest from Washington. Afterward, we look forward to questions and comments.	Feb 05, 2010
		India Mediclaim Scheme (Quick Survey Results) Looks at what kind and level of coverage employers are offering the parents of employees in India.	Feb 04, 2010
		Federal Agencies Release Rules for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) (Policy Alert) The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) rules outline how employers can provide benefits at parity for mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD) if they offer them.	Feb 03, 2010
		Using WISCORESM, the Wellness Impact Scorecard, to Evaluate Your Health Improvement Program (Webinar Presentation) This presentation introduces the key features of WISCORE, the Wellness Impact Scorecard, developed to help employers understand the impact of their employee wellness programs and shares findings from the 2009 users.	Feb 02, 2010
		32 Democratic Senators Urge Extension of COBRA Subsidies Through December 2010 (Washington Business Health Update) 32 Democratic senators, led by Senator Robert Casey (D-PA), urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) to extend unemployment benefits and the eligibility period for COBRA subsidies from the current February 28, 2010 end-date to December 31, 2010.	Jan 29, 2010
		House Committee Passes Bill Requiring Disclosure of White House's Health Care Deals (Washington Business Health Update) The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill by Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX) requesting that the Obama administration and health care trade associations representing medical device manufacturers, doctors, hospitals, insurers, prescription drug companies and labor unions turn over documentation related to the deals the White House struck with them over the current health care bills before the Congress.	Jan 29, 2010
		President Urges Congress to Salvage Health Care Bill But Lowers Its Priority in State of the Union Address (Washington Business Health Update) President Obama's State of the Union address urged Congress to pass legislation creating jobs and to take another look at the health care bills passed by the House and Senate last year, but did not provide either a roadmap or a timetable for getting it done.	Jan 29, 2010
		Senate Plans to Vote on Medicare Physician Payment (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) agreed to consider a House-passed bill by Representative John Dingell (D-MI) to stave off a scheduled 21% cut in Medicare physician rates set for 2010 at a cost of $210 billion over 10 years.	Jan 29, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) While the Congressional leadership debates its next moves following the Massachusetts election, the Business Group will continue its weekly updates on key developments on the health care reform legislation. Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will provide a quick update and the latest from Washington.	Jan 29, 2010
		Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles 2010 (Webinar Presentation) Joneyse Gatling, Program Specialist, Institute on Innovation in Workforce Well-being, outlines whats new in 2010 and offer practical tips on completing the Best Employers for Health Lifestyles application.	Jan 27, 2010
		Integrating Health and Wellness into Hannaford's Company Culture (Webinar Presentation) Ellie Udeh, Manager of Wellness Initiatives, Hannaford Brothers, describes Hannaford's winning approach to integrating health and wellness into the company culture and offer pointers on how your company can also achieve the Platinum award.	Jan 27, 2010
		Visant Health Care Strategy, Goals, & Communication (Webinar Presentation) Ruth Dust, Manager of Health and Wellness, Visant Corporation, describes Visant's Health Matters program and best practice messaging to engage employees, and shares her insights on the best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles application process.	Jan 27, 2010
		Older Workers, Phased Retirement, and Related Benefit Issues (Quick Survey Results) Looks at how employers are addressing older workers, phased retirements and related benefits issues, especially how America's aging demographic will affect employers and what employers are doing to address this.	Jan 26, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will provide a quick update and the latest from Washington on the prospects for health reform and possible options for Congress and the Administration following the Republican Scott Brown's victory in the Massachusetts special election. Afterward, we look forward to questions and comments.	Jan 22, 2010
		Massachusetts' Senate Election Puts Health Care Bill's Future in Disarray (Washington Business Health Update) Republican Scott Brown (R-MA) won the open Senate seat left vacant by the late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), providing the 41st vote necessary to block the passage of the Democrats' health care bill in the Senate and casting into doubt the future of the legislation.	Jan 21, 2010
		Democrats Reach Apparent Agreement With Unions on "Cadillac" Tax (Washington Business Health Update) Senate and House Democratic leaders reached an apparent deal with President Barack Obama and labor unions, on taxing higher cost "Cadillac" plans as part of a final compromise on health care legislation.	Jan 21, 2010
		Employee Cost Sharing for Various Services (Quick Survey Results) Examines what levels of cost sharing employers have in place for services such as allergy shots, outpatient physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and chiropractic services.	Jan 21, 2010
		Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Report Opposes Deals That Delay Market Entry of Generic Drugs (Washington Business Health Update) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a study recommending that Congress pass legislation prohibiting settlement agreements in which brand-name drug companies pay generic competitors to stay out of the market.	Jan 21, 2010
		President Seeks to Reduce Market Exclusivity Period for Biologic Drugs (Washington Business Health Update) President Obama worked to reduce to 9 years a provision in the House and Senate passed health care bills that would grant 12 years of market exclusivity for biologic drugs before they face competition.	Jan 21, 2010
		Helping Employees Take Control of Their Healthcare with the Right Resources (Webinar Presentation) Evan Falchuk of Best Doctors and Joanne Jones of Genzyme Corporation describe how by arming its employees with a resource to help them be sure that they have the right diagnosis and the right treatment, Genzyme Corporation has had a direct impact in the lives of its employees and their families.	Jan 20, 2010
		The Challenge of Preventing Late Preterm Birth (Webinar Presentation) Alan R. Fleischman, MD, Senior Vice President and Medical Director, March of Dimes presents data on non-medically induced labor, the importance of accurate gestational dating, and why the last weeks of pregnancy are essential.	Jan 19, 2010
		UnitedHealthcare Strategies to Prevent Prematurity (Webinar Presentation) Tina D. Groat, MD, MBA, FACOG, National Medical Director, Womens Health Line of Service. UnitedHealth Networks share outcomes from a national sample of womens perceptions regarding the safety of birth at various ages, as well as what UnitedHealthcare is doing to address the issue of late-preterm births.	Jan 19, 2010
		PepsiCo Drives Health Along a Personalized Road (Best Practice) PepsiCo's global wellness program, HealthRoads, was designed to reinforce the organization's commitment to healthier lifestyles. PepsiCo believes that the key to creating and sustaining a health and wellness culture is to bring it to life at the local level. HealthRoads is customized to match local interests and needs making wellness more relevant to each individual. This local approach, dubbed the Worksite Wellness Program, has resulted in better outcomes and greater employee engagement.	Jan 15, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Jan 15, 2010
		Wellness Programs for Telecommuters (Quick Survey Results) Examines what types of programs are being offered to telecommuters and the challenges of delivering wellness programs to this employee population.	Jan 15, 2010
		Department of Labor (DoL) Releases New COBRA Model Notices (Policy Alert) The Department of Labor (DoL) released new COBRA model notices to communicate extended qualification and eligibility periods for federal COBRA subsidies. Employers have until February 17th to notify plan participants.	Jan 14, 2010
		Joint Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Urging Changes to Effective Dates in the Final Health Care Legislation (Comments and Letters) Joint Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging that the effective dates for the numerous changes to health plan benefits and policies be extended to help minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition for our employees, plan participants and customers.	Jan 14, 2010
		Preterm Birth and Elective Inductions Prior to 37 Weeks (Health Tips) Preterm births and induction of labor preterm are on the rise, and it is increasingly evident that even late preterm babies are less healthy and incur higher costs than infants born at full term. Employers can play a key role in reducing preterm birth and its associated costs. This health tip explores the fast facts as well as offering recommendations for what employers can do.	Jan 14, 2010
		Impact of Overusing the Emergency Department on Cost Trend (Quick Survey Results) Looks at how wide-spread the problem of unnecessary use of the emergency department is and how employers are addressing it.	Jan 13, 2010
		Joint Employer Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Urging that the Final Health Care Legislation Gets Fundamentals Right (Comments and Letters) Joint Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urging that the final health care reform legislation bends the cost curve, improves the long-term fiscal outlook for federal and state governments, produces greater quality and value in the health care delivery system, and helps facilitate long term economic recovery.	Jan 13, 2010
		Building Blocks for Health Engagement (Webinar Presentation) This presentation provides an overview of the reason behind the development of the Institute on Health, Productivity, and Human Capital's Employee Engagement toolkit.	Jan 11, 2010
		Engaging Employees to "Step Up to Good Health" (Webinar Presentation) This presentation focuses on the simplified screening guidelines that the Employee Engagement Committee developed for men and women. As well, Dr. Henry shares engagement strategies practiced at AstraZeneca.	Jan 11, 2010
		H-E-B Wellness Champions: Changing Lives One Partner at a Time (Webinar Presentation) Beth Common presents a case study of a successfully developed and implemented wellness champion program by sharing H-E-B Grocery Company's "Healthy at H-E-B" program and experiences.	Jan 11, 2010
		Stepping Up to Good Health (Webinar Presentation) Kathy Harte of Hewitt Associates provides guidelines for the promotion of senior management engagement in health engagement strategies, including the steps to developing organizational wellness champions.	Jan 11, 2010
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Jan 08, 2010
		Employer Investments in Improving Employee Health: Results from a National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments Employer Survey (Webinar Presentation) The National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments surveyed large employers in September of 2009 on their investments in tools, resources and programs to improve their employees' health. Results from this survey, including estimates on what employers are spending in their area, what challenges they have faced and what employers can do to improve the outcomes of their programs are discussed during the webinar.	Jan 07, 2010
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) with Recommendations for Improvements to the Final Health Care Legislation (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to maintain employer-sponsored health care coverage, improve care delivery, and remove or modify employer provisions in the final health care legislation.	Jan 07, 2010
		Employer Investments in Improving Employee Health (Survey Report) Provides a summary of the types of programs and investments that employers are making in improving their employees' health.	Jan 06, 2010
		Introducing the Plan Design Network (Webinar Presentation) The Plan Design Network is an online community devoted to health plan design for HR and benefits professionals from National Business Group on Health member companies. This quick tutorial will help you begin networking with your peers and connecting on critical plan design issues.	Jan 05, 2010
		Strategies for Improving Health Through Increasing Medication Adherence (Issue Brief) Explains the clinical and financial importance of medication adherence and provides recommendations for employers about improving their employees' adherence rates.	Jan 04, 2010
		Letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) Requesting that the DoL Revise Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Regulations (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the DoL requesting that the DoL revise GINA regulations to provide for both an "underwriting purposes" exception for incentives provided for the completion of health risk assessments (HAs) and a "medical necessity" exception for disease management programs.	Jan 01, 2010
		House Considers Additional COBRA Expansion Even After Recent Extension (Washington Business Health Update) In addition to the recent law extending federal COBRA subsidies, the House passed another "jobs" spending bill that would further expand COBRA benefits.	Dec 23, 2009
		Joint Letter to Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Max Baucus (D-MT) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) Supporting the Release of Medicare Claims Data in the Senate Health Care Legislation (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a joint-letter to Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Max Baucus (D-MT) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) supporting a provision in the Senate's health care legislation that would allow independent entities to use Medicare claims data to evaluate the performance of health care providers on quality, efficiency and effectiveness measures.	Dec 23, 2009
		Law Delays Medicare Physician Payment Cuts (Washington Business Health Update) President Obama signed the Defense Appropriations bill into law this week which delays the scheduled 21% cuts to Medicare physician payments until after February 28, 2010.	Dec 23, 2009
		Senate May Approve Health Care Bill As Early As Tomorrow With Several "New" Problems for Employers (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has secured the 60 votes necessary to pass the $871 billion health care bill with several new problems for employers that would provide coverage to an additional 31 million Americans.	Dec 23, 2009
		Congress Extends Federal COBRA Subsidies (Policy Alert) Congress passed and the President will sign the Defense Appropriations Bill that includes an extension of COBRA continuation coverage subsidies for the unemployed.	Dec 21, 2009
		The Future of Health Assessments, Family Medical History, and Employee Wellness Initiatives Under New Regulations (Webinar Presentation) The recent release of regulations implementing the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) have caused quite a stir among employers who offer wellness programs and wellness incentives to employees and in some cases dependents. The rules limit the ability to administer health assessments that ask questions about family medical history and about the use of family medical history to identify appropriate wellness activities or disease management programs suited to employees' health risks. This webinar discusses the regulatory restrictions and examples of how to structure health assessments and wellness programs in response.	Dec 21, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Dec 18, 2009
		Managing Energy: Powering Performance&Health and Wellbeing Strategies for Achieving Fully Engaged Employees (Webinar Presentation) Presentation by Kay Campbell from GlaxoSmithKline about their global wellness initiatives.	Dec 15, 2009
		The World of Workplace Wellness: Global Trends and Challenges (Webinar Presentation) Barry Hall and Wolf Kirsten present findings from Buck Consulting's 2009 Global Survey of Health promotion and Workplace Wellness Strategies.	Dec 15, 2009
		Paid-Time to Participate in Health Promotion (Quick Survey Results) Looks at whether employers are allowing employees to use paid-time to engage in health promotion activities.	Dec 14, 2009
		Employee HIV/AIDS Program: Prevention, Treatment, Care (Webinar Presentation) Blair Palmer, Senior Manager, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment & Care Program, Levi Strauss & Co., shares information about their successful HIV/AIDS program. Levi Strauss & Co. was one of the first to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic among their workforce, and they have received several awards from the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria for their deep employee engagement and extensive strategic collaboration around HIV/AIDS.	Dec 11, 2009
		HIV Screening and the Importance of Routine Testing (Webinar Presentation) Bernard M. Branson, MD, Associate Director for Laboratory Diagnostics, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the rationale for routine testing of HIV/AIDS.	Dec 11, 2009
		HIV/AIDS in Employee Populations: What Employers Need to Know (Webinar Presentation) Presents information regarding why employers should care about HIV/AIDS in their employee populations, as well as workplace strategies employers can use to educate their employees regarding prevention and the need for routine testing.	Dec 11, 2009
		President  Endorses  Federal  COBRA  Subsidy Extension (Washington Business Health Update) President Barack Obama endorsed extending current federal COBRA subsides at a speech on job creation and economic growth. Congress is likely to attach the COBRA subsidy extension to the Defense Appropriations bill or as a part of new "jobs" bill before the end of the year.	Dec 11, 2009
		Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Moves Closer to Health Care Deal? (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) may or may not have moved closer to an agreement with fellow Democrats on the contentious issue of a public insurance option to secure the 60 votes necessary to begin moving toward final passage of a health care bill before a self-imposed Christmas deadline.	Dec 11, 2009
		Value-Based Design (Issue Update) Value-based design (VBD) has captured employer interest because if its potential to encourage members to better manage chronic conditions and this improve the value of health care spending. This Critical Issue Update discusses how VBD is evolving, makes recommendations to employers considering the approach, and provides the outlook for VBD as a tool for spending health care dollars more effectively and efficiently.	Dec 11, 2009
		Value-Based Design: Employer Profiles (Issue Update) This document summarizes the value-based plan designs of six employers and their experiences to date.	Dec 11, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Dec 11, 2009
		Reimbursement for Safety Glasses and Non-Occupational Injury Prevention (Quick Survey Results) Looks at whether employers are providing or reimbursing employees for required safety glasses, and it also examines if employers have non-occupational, unintentional injury prevention programs.	Dec 09, 2009
		Hospital Care Transitions: Improving Quality and Lowering Cost (Issue Brief) Discusses the importance of the employer's role in hospital care transitions and presents recommendations on what employers should think about when making plan design and purchasing decisions in partnership with their employees, health plans and hospital networks.	Dec 08, 2009
		Workplace Breastfeeding Programs: CIGNA Corporation (Case Study) Highlights the CIGNA Corporation program to provide guidance to employers regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace breastfeeding programs.	Dec 08, 2009
		Workplace Breastfeeding Programs: Corning, Incorporated (Case Study) Highlights the Corning, Incorporated program to provide guidance to employers regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace breastfeeding programs.	Dec 08, 2009
		Workplace Breastfeeding Programs: CVS Caremark (Case Study) Highlights the CVS Caremark program to provide guidance to employers regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace breastfeeding programs.	Dec 08, 2009
		Workplace Breastfeeding Programs: Employer Case Studies (Issue Brief) Employers can create tailored workplace breastfeeding programs and policies.This issue brief presents exemplary case studies to provide guidance to employers regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace breastfeeding programs.	Dec 08, 2009
		Workplace Breastfeeding Programs: Occidental Gas and Petroleum Corporation (Case Study) Highlights the Occidental Gas and Petroleum Corporation program to provide guidance to employers regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace breastfeeding programs.	Dec 08, 2009
		Workplace Breastfeeding Programs: Texas Instruments Incorporated (Case Study) Highlights the Texas Instruments Incorporated program to provide guidance to employers regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of workplace breastfeeding programs.	Dec 08, 2009
		Improving Employee Health Through Increasing Medication Adherence (Webinar Presentation) Kathy Riggins, Manger of Health and Welfare Benefits at General Mills describes the intervention that was implemented at General Mills to improve employee medication adherence and the results.	Dec 07, 2009
		Letter to Congressional Leaders and the White House on Employers' Success with Wellness Programs (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Congressional leaders and the White House on employers' efforts to assist employees with interventions and preventive care and specific areas where federal leadership can help employers set up employee wellness programs and encourage employees (and, where possible, dependents) participation.	Dec 07, 2009
		On-Site H1N1 Flu Vaccinations (Quick Survey Results) Examines whether employers are currently offering on-site H1N1 flu vaccinations, and how they have structured the program.	Dec 07, 2009
		PPG: Medication Adherence in Context (Webinar Presentation) Dr. Alberto Colombi, Corporate Medical Director at PPG Industries describes the health and productivity losses at PPG from poor medication adherence and discusses the measures taken to improve adherence.	Dec 07, 2009
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on Ways to Strengthen Cost Controls, Reduce Employer Plan Costs, and Improve Plan Flexibility in the Senate Health Care Legislation (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) recommending strengthening provisions that would improve the health care delivery system and control costs, improving provisions affecting employer-sponsored coverage, and expressing concern over provisions that will raise costs for employers and employees with employer-sponsored health coverage in the Senate health care legislation.	Dec 04, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Dec 04, 2009
		Getting the Most from Health Care: Using Antibiotics Safely (Employee Tip Sheet) A new series of short employee communications focused on commonly overused medical interventions and the value of primary care. Customize these word documents or cut & paste for your website, video script, or other messaging vehicles.	Dec 01, 2009
		Getting the Most from Health Care: Who is Your Personal Doctor? (Employee Tip Sheet) A series of short employee communications focused on commonly overused medical interventions and the value of primary care. Customize these word documents or cut & paste for your website, video script, or other messaging vehicles.	Dec 01, 2009
		Joint Employer Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) Expressing Support for ERISA and Concerns with Provisions of the Senate Health Care Legislation (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health, along with other employer associations, sent a joint letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader McConnell expressing support for ERISA and requesting modification or elimination of certain provisions including the public plan, employer mandates, taxes on health insurance and self-insured health plans, the Retiree Drug Subsidy and high-cost health plans.	Nov 30, 2009
		2009/2010 Staying@Work Report: The Health and Productivity Advantage (Survey Report) Conducted by Watson Wyatt and the National Business Group on Health, this year's survey found that companies with effective health and productivity programs are more likely to have lower health care costs, lower levels of presenteeism, fewer lost days due to disabilities, lower levels of turnover and overall better financial outcomes.	Nov 23, 2009
		Optimizing the Employee's Role in Health Care Decision-Making (Issue Brief) Translates lessons learned from a new study commissioned by the Institute of Medicine called "Environmental Scan of Communication around Patient Roles and Responsibilities," and applies proven principles in behavioral economics toward employer health and wellness strategies.	Nov 23, 2009
		Breast Cancer Screening: USPSTF Guideline Update (Evidence Alert) The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published new guidelines on screening for breast cancer on November 17, 2009, updating 2002 recommendations. This Evidence Alert summarizes the new guidelines and their impact on employer plans.	Nov 20, 2009
		House Passes Medicare Doctor Payment Payment "Fix" (Washington Business Health Update) The House passed a $210 billion proposal that would stave off a scheduled 21% cut in Medicare physician rates set for 2010.	Nov 20, 2009
		Senate Bill Would Extend and Expand Federal COBRA Subsidy (Washington Business Health Update) Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced a bill that would extend the current nine-month federal COBRA subsidy by six months to 15 months and raise the 65% federal premium subsidy to 75%.	Nov 20, 2009
		Senate Plans First Vote on Health Care Bill this Weekend (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) finally released his $849 billion health care bill that would cover an additional 31 million uninsured (for a total of 94% of all Americans) and includes a number of provisions that would directly impact employer-sponsored health plans and employers.	Nov 20, 2009
		Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) Introduces Paid Sick Leave Mandate for H1N1 Flu (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced legislation with Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) that would require employers with 15 or more employees to provide up to 7 paid sick days for their own flu-like symptoms.	Nov 20, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Nov 20, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Nov 13, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's conference call topic: open enrollment in review, part I.	Nov 12, 2009
		Letter to Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Requesting that the EBSA Rescind the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Regulations (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the EBSA expressing our serious concerns about the adverse impact of the interim final rules on employer-sponsored wellness and disease management programs and to request that it rescind the regulations.	Nov 11, 2009
		Letter to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the Potential Adverse Impact of the GINA Regulations on Wellness and Disease Management Programs (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the EEOC expressing our serious concerns about the potential adverse impact of the final rules implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).	Nov 11, 2009
		Joint Letter to the Obama Administration Urging Support of a Petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to Maintain the Current Federal Framework of ERISA (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health and The ERISA Industry Committee sent a joint letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius and White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle urging the Administration to take the necessary steps to ensure that neither judicial decisions nor any health care reform legislation undermine national uniformity and federal preemption of ERISA.	Nov 10, 2009
		Joint Letter to the Solicitor General in Support of U.S. Supreme Court Review of the Ninth Circuit's Decision in Golden Gate Restaurant Association v. City of San Francisco (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health and The ERISA Industry Committee sent a joint letter to the Solicitor General to ask that the U.S. Supreme Court grant the petition in order to address the issue of ERISA preemption raised by the Ninth Circuit's decision in Golden Gate Restaurant Association v. City of San Francisco.	Nov 10, 2009
		The Economic and Health Impacts of Obesity (Fact Sheet) Provides pertinent and timely information on obesity-related prevalence, health risks, financial costs, and opportunities for prevention.	Nov 09, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Nov 06, 2009
		Global Pandemic Response (Quick Survey Results) Examines the pandemic plans that employers had in place globally prior to the H1N1 outbreak.	Nov 05, 2009
		House Expects to Pass Paid Sick Leave Mandate for H1N1 Flu (Washington Business Health Update) House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA) expects to quickly pass a bill that would require employers with 15 or more employees to provide up to 5 paid sick leave days a year if employers "direct" or "advise" employees with symptoms of a contagious disease, such as the H1N1 flu virus, to stay or go home.	Nov 05, 2009
		House Scheduled to Vote on Health Care Reform Bill (Washington Business Health Update) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) hopes to resolve Democratic disagreements on abortion, immigration and overall costs that have delayed a House vote on the health care overhaul until Saturday (November 7).	Nov 05, 2009
		Making Preventive Care an Employee Focus: An H.J. Heinz Company Story (Case Study) A case study on H.J. Heinz Company's preventive services efforts.	Nov 05, 2009
		Coverage of Dietitian Visits (Quick Survey Results) Examines what kind of coverage for dietitian visits employers are offering.	Nov 03, 2009
		International SOS: Getting through It: Best Practices in Surviving H1N1 (Slide Deck) Dr. Myles Druckman presented how multinational employers planned for a potential pandemic and responded to H1N1 outside the U.S.	Nov 03, 2009
		Littler Mendelson - H1N1: Update on Pandemic Preparedness (Slide Deck) Mr. David Wirtz presented legal issues employers are facing when responding to H1N1.	Nov 03, 2009
		Pandemic Flu Work Group: International Preparedness and Response / H1N1 Legal Implications for Employers (Conference Call Highlights) Dr. Myles Druckman of International SOS discussed how the company assists employers with pandemic preparedness planning and H1N1 response internationally. David Wirtz of Littler Mendelson presented legal implications for employers' responses to H1N1.	Nov 03, 2009
		National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Expands Military Family FMLA Leave (Policy Alert) President Obama recently signed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that expands the circumstances under which people can take military family FMLA leave.	Nov 02, 2009
		Letter to Secretaries Hilda Solis (Labor), Kathleen Sebelius (HHS), and Timothy Geithner (Treasury) Expressing Concerns over the Unintended Impact of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Regulations on Wellness Programs (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Secretaries Hilda Solis (Labor), Kathleen Sebelius (HHS), and Timothy Geithner (Treasury) that the interim final rules of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 are adversely impacting employer-sponsored wellness initiatives.	Oct 30, 2009
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Expressing Concerns over the Unintended Impact of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Regulations on Wellness Programs (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid expressing concern that newly issued regulations implementing Title I of GINA are adversely impacting employer-sponsored wellness initiatives, asking for clarification of Congressional intent on the use of incentives for completion of health assessments, and urging that Congress request a one year delay in the effective date of the regulations to assess their impact on the availability of such programs for employees.	Oct 30, 2009
		MyHealth: Road Map to Healthy Living, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, 2009 (Best Practice) UMPC's MyHealth program is a comprehensive set of programs designed to address the cost challenges of health care, absenteeism and productivity loss through engagement of the workforce. UPMC's 'Take a Healthy Step' campaign includes an annual MyHealth Questionnaire HRA, a biometric screening, and a set of other "healthy steps" that employees can select.	Oct 30, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Oct 30, 2009
		Investing in Maternal and Child Health: Strategies for State Employers (Webinar Presentation) This webinar provides an overview of the Business Group toolkit aimed at improving employer-sponsored health benefits and programs for children, adolescents and pregnant women. The core component of this toolkit is the Maternal and Child Health Plan Benefit Model, which outlines 34 evidence-informed health, pharmacy, vision and dental benefits recommended by the Business Group. It also includes: The business case for investing in healthy pregnancies and healthy children. Case examples of benefit design changes and challenges. Recommended cost-sharing strategies to promote appropriate utilization and incent prevention.	Oct 29, 2009
		Joint Employer Letter Opposing House Health Care Legislation (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health, along with other employer associations, sent a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) opposing the Affordable Health Care for America Act.	Oct 29, 2009
		On-Site Fitness Centers and Off-Site Gym Membership Subsidies (Quick Survey Results) Examines whether employees are charged to use on-site fitness centers, and whether employers are offering off-site gym membership subsidies.	Oct 28, 2009
		Letter Urging Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Charlene Frizzera to Include a Primary Care Increase in the Final 2010 Physician Fee Schedule (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to CMS to include the overall payment increases of 6-8 percent for primary care specialties in its final rule for Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for Calendar Year 2010.	Oct 27, 2009
		Well at Dell: Creating a Campus Culture of Employee Health, 2009 (Best Practice) Well at Dell includes on-site fitness facilities at the Round Rock headquarters, in Austin and in Tennessee, as well as discounts at local gyms in all other U.S. locations that lack on-site fitness facilities; a weight maintenance program; an on-site cafeteria offering healthy choices; online health action programs for low-risk employees; and telephonic health coaching for employees designated as "high risk." A major component of Well at Dell is personalized health coaching programs based on health risk status for smoking cessation, diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, weight management, back pain, pregnancy and stress management.	Oct 27, 2009
		Deal on Medicare Physician Payment Falls Apart (Washington Business Health Update) Moderate Senate Democrats joined all Republicans in voting down a bill introduced by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that would have replaced a scheduled 21% cut in Medicare physician payments with a .5% increase in 2010 because the bill had no provision to pay for the $247 billion with either spending cuts or tax increases.	Oct 23, 2009
		House Passes Bill that Would Allow Federal Government to Regulate Insurers Along with the States (Washington Business Health Update) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will incorporate a bill in the House's health care reform package by Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) that would allow the federal government to prosecute insurers for violations of antitrust law if they engage in "price-fixing, bid-rigging or market allocations."	Oct 23, 2009
		Senate Merging Health Care Reform Bills (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), began the difficult process of merging the health care reform bills passed by the Finance and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees, including the still-unresolved issues of a compromise on a government-run plan and reducing overall costs.	Oct 23, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) This week's update on key developments in health reform. After a quick update and the latest from Washington, Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will focus on aspects that will directly affect large employers.	Oct 23, 2009
		Consumer Debt and Bankruptcy Due to Medical Expenses (Issue Update) In the past year, the economy has presented challenges for both employers and employees. Read this timely Critical Issue Update to learn more about the prevalence of medical debt, what types of employees are more likely to find themselves in this situation, and what you, the employer, can do to help.	Oct 21, 2009
		Controlling Costs: Vendor Contracting (Top Solutions) Provides a summary of key contracting provisions employers should consider when contracting with health plans for ASO services.	Oct 20, 2009
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to Raise the Bar for the Accreditation Process for State Gateway/Exchange Health Plans (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic leaders to ensure that the accreditation process for health plans in the new state gateways/exchanges meets rigorous, robust quality and evidence-based performance standards for effectiveness, efficiency, affordability and customer service.	Oct 20, 2009
		Strengthening Health Care for Children: Primary Care and the Medical Home (Issue Brief) Describes how employers, as purchasers of health benefits, can initiate changes that will improve the quality of children's health care and expand access to it. It is especially vital that employers emphasize the importance of primary care for children and work to ensure that all children have a usual source of continuous and comprehensive care.	Oct 19, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) In the aftermath of Tuesday's vote in the Senate Finance Committee, Helen Darling and Steve Wojcik will provide analysis and reaction to the latest changes, focusing on what employers can expect.	Oct 16, 2009
		10 Years, 5 Voices, 1 Challenge (Published Article) HHN magazine provides the perspectives of thought leaders in patient safety, including Helen Darling, on the 10-year anniversary of the seminal IOM report To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System	Oct 15, 2009
		Employer Communications on Health Disparities: Resource Document (Report) In order to raise awareness of health disparities and create change in the workplace, effective communication and education are essential. This document was created to assist employers in identifying both key stakeholders involved in addressing disparities and some existing resources that can help address them.	Oct 14, 2009
		Non-U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Testing of Health Benefits (Quick Survey Results) Explores the prevalence of Sarbanes-Oxley testing outside of the U.S., and looks at development and execution of Sarbanes-Oxley control points.	Oct 14, 2009
		Adoption of Electronic Compensation (Quick Survey Results) Looks at how employers are using direct deposit and payroll cards (payroll cards are debit cards given to employees and onto which the employer transfers an employee's salary on a regular basis).	Oct 09, 2009
		IBM's Children's Health Rebate: Making Wellness a Family Enterprise, 2009 (Best Practice) IBM's Children's Health rebate is a unique, action-oriented program designed to help parents support children in maintaining healthy weight. Over a twelve-week period, the program targets: adequate physical activity; consistent healthy eating; appropriate screen time; and positive parental role modeling.	Oct 09, 2009
		Senate Finance Committee to Vote Next Week on Health Care Reform Bill (Washington Business Health Update) After receiving a boost from a favorable updated preliminary cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Senate Finance Committee plans to vote on its health care reform bill that would cost $829 billion over 10 years to expand health coverage to the uninsured, financed largely by Medicare payment reductions, by taxing "high cost" insurance plans with many public employees, employer plans and health care industry assessments.	Oct 09, 2009
		Weekly Health Reform Discussion (Webinar Presentation) The highlights of what employers can expect as Congress and the Administration continue to debate proposals and negotiate key issues like the tax status of health benefits, ERISA, and controlling costs.	Oct 09, 2009
		HealthyQuest: Helping Employees Find Their Way to Healthy Living, Quest Diagnostics, 2009 (Best Practice) The HealthyQuest initiative reflects Quest Diagnostics' ongoing commitment to improving the health of its employees. The program specifically focuses on improving employee awareness of personal health risk factors and suggested steps to mitigate those risks. HealthyQuest health promotion teams focus on meeting specific goals, such as achieve high levels of participation in the company's health risk assessment; support or initiate efforts to improve physical fitness, weight, and stress management; and raise employee compliance with regular cancer screening.	Oct 08, 2009
		Chart of regulatory considerations for health risk assessments (Chart) Regulatory Requirements for Health Risk Assessments under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).	Oct 07, 2009
		Federal Agencies Propose Rules Implementing Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) (Policy Alert) Various agencies of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury issued proposed rules implementing GINA that clarify that genetic information (including family medical history) is protected health information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Nondiscrimination, Privacy and Security Rules.	Oct 07, 2009
		Letter to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Supporting the Senate Finance Committee's Health Care Reform Bill But Expressing Concerns About Impact on Employers (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Chairman Baucus and Senate leaders applauding the steps to improve the delivery of care and to reduce unnecessary costs in health care delivery, including the significant federal commitment to comparative effectiveness research and the initial steps to reform Medicare payment and delivery of care. The letter also includes concerns about and suggestions related to the excise tax on higher cost health care, FSA changes, and provisions affecting retiree health.	Oct 06, 2009
		Senate Finance Committee Health Reform Bill As Amended Provisions Affecting Large Employers (Webinar Presentation) This webinar focuses on provisions that would directly affect employers and the prospects going forward as the Senate and House work out differences in their bills before the final vote, expected by Thanksgiving.	Oct 06, 2009
		Dee Edington Zero Trends Presentation (Webinar Presentation) This presentation outlines how employers are putting the Zero Trends pillars, from the new book by Dr. Dee Edington called Zero Trends: Health as a Serious Economic Strategy, into practice sharing, practical examples and actionable tools. This presentation illustrates how employers can make a business case for investment in creating a culture of health and productivity for their employees.	Oct 05, 2009
		Florida Power & Light Zero Trends Presentation (Webinar Presentation) This presentation outlines how employers are putting the Zero Trends pillars, from the new book by Dr. Dee Edington called Zero Trends: Health as a Serious Economic Strategy, into practice sharing, practical examples and actionable tools. This presentation illustrates how employers can make a business case for investment in creating a culture of health and productivity for their employees.	Oct 05, 2009
		Helen Darling Zero Trends Presentation (Webinar Presentation) This presentation outlines how employers are putting the Zero Trends pillars, from the new book by Dr. Dee Edington called Zero Trends: Health as a Serious Economic Strategy, into practice sharing, practical examples and actionable tools. This presentation illustrates how employers can make a business case for investment in creating a culture of health and productivity for their employees.	Oct 05, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topic focused on: effect of CDHPs on utilization and adherence. Featured a case study from Visant Corporation.	Oct 01, 2009
		Healthy Millennials: Rule of Engagement for the Under-30 Generation (Fact Sheet) Summarizes an issue brief on the characteristics of the Millennial generation, their health issues and recommendations for employers to improve communication and engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors for this generation.	Oct 01, 2009
		Healthy Millennials: Rules of Engagement for the Under-30 Generation (Issue Brief) Educates employers on characteristics of the Millennial generation, discusses their health issues, and recommends strategies to effectively communicate to Millennials and engage them in healthy lifestyles.	Oct 01, 2009
		Joint Letter to Members of the Senate Finance Committee Expressing Opposition to Sen Wyden's (D-OR) Amendment to America's Healthy Future Act That Would Jeopardize Employer-Sponsored Coverage (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health, along with other founding members of the National Coalition on Benefits, sent a joint letter to Members of the Senate Finance Committee expressing concern that Senator Wyden's amendment would cause large scale disruption in the source, financing, and regulation of the employer-sponsored health coverage that now serves most Americans.	Sep 29, 2009
		Letter to Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) to Include Stand-Alone Vision Plans in Health Reform Bill (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee to urge Senators to include vision benefits provided by ancillary, or stand-alone, plans as a buy-in option in the exchanges and to allow stand alone plans to satisfy the health reform bills' requirement for pediatric vision and dental services along with those integrated within medical plans.	Sep 28, 2009
		Preventing Prematurity and Adverse Birth Outcomes: What Employers Should Know (Issue Brief) Prematurity and other adverse birth outcomes (such as low birth weight and birth defects) represent significant costs for employers, and these problems have become more common in recent years. This issue brief highlights the importance of preconception care and provides strategies employers can use to help employees get healthy before they even consider becoming pregnant.	Sep 28, 2009
		Congress Set to Allow Prescription Drug Importation (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) may offer a bill as an amendment to the Senate's health care reform bill that would allow licensed importers to sell lower-price medicines from Canada and other countries in the U.S.	Sep 28, 2009
		Senate Finance Committee at Center of Health Care Reform as It Plods Through Amendments (Washington Business Health Update) The Senate Finance Committee began considering over 500 amendments to Senator Max Baucus' (D-MT) long-awaited health care reform bill that would reform the individual and small group markets and pay for an expansion of health coverage to the uninsured by taxing "high cost" insurance and employer plans, cutting private Medicare Advantage plan payments, and assessing fees on all insurers, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and clinical laboratories.	Sep 28, 2009
		Retiree Health Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) Conference call to discuss issues in retiree health care. This call featured information on health reform.	Sep 25, 2009
		Employee Assistance Programs (Report) Summarizes highlights from the roundtable discussion during the "Employee Assistance Programs" webinar and identifies key attributes for a high-performing EAP.	Sep 24, 2009
		Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Proposes Rules Implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (Policy Alert) The EEOC released regulations clarifying the final implementing rules for the ADAAA, which became effective January 1, 2009. The new rules make it easier for people seeking protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to establish that they have disabilities.	Sep 24, 2009
		Ensuring Healthy Pregnancies and Healthy Babies Webinar (Webinar Presentation) These notes summarize the information provided in the September 23, 2009 webinar on Ensuring Healthy Pregnancies and Healthy Babies.	Sep 23, 2009
		How Healthy are our Babies? (Webinar Presentation) Susan Wilson, Program Director of the Healthy Babies program in Wichita, Kansas, discusses why employers should care about their employees receiving preconception care. She also offers practical strategies that employers can use to support healthy pregnancies in their employee population.	Sep 23, 2009
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to Allow Stand Alone Plans to Satisfy the Requirement for Pediatric Dental and Vision Services in the Health Reform Bill Along with those Integrated with Medical Plans (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and other leaders of Congress to include amendments in the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009 that would permit ancillary, or stand-alone, plans to satisfy the requirement for pediatric dental and vision services along with those integrated within medical plans.	Sep 23, 2009
		Life with Baby (Webinar Presentation) Lisa Woods, Senior Director of Global Benefits Design at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., discusses their successful Life with Baby program. This program promotes healthy pregnancies and healthy babies via one-on-one attention and information and services their associates will need throughout their pregnancies and beyond.	Sep 23, 2009
		Preconception Care from a Life Course Perspective: A Win-Win Situation (Webinar Presentation) Estrellita "Lo" Berry, President of REACHUP, Inc., discusses the importance of individuals becoming healthy before they plan on becoming pregnant. She also offers employer strategies for wellness and health promotion programs to support healthy pregnancies.	Sep 23, 2009
		Lowe's Companies, Inc. Specialty Pharmacy Overview (Webinar Presentation) Kyle Wendt, Vice President, Benefits, Lowe's Companies, Inc. provides a case study of their benefits strategy regarding specialty pharmaceuticals, including details on Lowe's relationship with its specialty pharmacy provider.	Sep 22, 2009
		Specialty Drug Management (Webinar Presentation) Kristin Putnam, Director of U.S. Benefit Programs at Praxair, Inc. provides a case study of Praxair's benefits strategy regarding specialty pharmaceuticals, including lessons learned for other employers.	Sep 22, 2009
		Specialty Pharmaceutical Management: Case Studies of Employer Strategies and Tools (Webinar Presentation) This presentation provides background information about what specialty pharmaceuticals are and how are they different from traditional medications.	Sep 22, 2009
		Joint Letter Opposing Extension of Medicare Secondary Payer for End Stage Renal Disease (Comments and Letters) Joint letter from NBGH and other employer associations opposing the delaying of eligibility for primary benefits under Medicare for people with end stage renal disease.	Sep 21, 2009
		Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Employer Initiatives (Issue Brief) This document provides case studies from nine large employers working to identify and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. The case studies reveal a broad range of levels of engagement and strategies. The appendix features results from the employer survey on disparities.	Sep 18, 2009
		Details of Just-Released Senate Finance Committee Health Reform Bill Provisions Affecting Large Employers (Webinar Presentation) This webinar will focus on provisions in Senator Baucus' bill released earlier this morning that would directly affect large employer health plans.	Sep 18, 2009
		HHS Releases Rules for Breaches of Unsecured Protected Health Information (Policy Alert) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issues risk assessment, notification and reporting rules for breaches of unsecured protected health information (PHI) and also clarifies the safe harbor to avoid the rules by securing PHI.	Sep 17, 2009
		LightenUP: The Dow Chemical Company Worksite Approach to Promoting Healthy Weight Management (Webinar Presentation) This webinar highlights findings of the LightenUP study, a groundbreaking five-year health study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to identify innovative, relatively low-cost workplace health interventions, and launches a new mini-website to showcase related tools and resources. Speakers are John White, Global Health Services Leader, The Dow Chemical Company and Ron Goetzel, PhD, Vice President, Consulting and Applied Research, Thomson Reuters Healthcare.	Sep 17, 2009
		Health Reform in Washington: The State of Play (Webinar Presentation) Find out what employers can expect on health reform as Congress returns to Washington and the Administration reexamines its health care strategy. Will Congress push through the current proposals, produce a compromise, or start all over? What will happen on key issues like an employer mandate, the tax status of health benefits, ERISA, and controlling costs?	Sep 15, 2009
		President Outlines Priorities, Urges Congress to Pass Health Care Reform (Washington Business Health Update) In an address to Congress, President Barack Obama outlined his health care reform priorities that would spend $900 billion over 10 years.	Sep 11, 2009
		Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Outlines Health Care Reform Bill (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) sent a health reform bill outline to Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in an attempt to speed up a bipartisan agreement that would reform the individual and small group market and pay for a expansion of health coverage to the uninsured by taxing employer and private health care plans, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers and clinical laboratories.	Sep 11, 2009
		Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Getting Started and Things to Consider (Employer Guide) This document was produced by the Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Data Subcommittee and is intended to help employers understand the essentials of R/E data collection and privacy issues. This document also includes a privacy statement overview and template for employer adaptation.	Sep 10, 2009
		Employee Assistance Programs Webinar (Webinar Presentation) This webinar will focus on the strategic value of EAPs and how to identify key attributes of a high-performing EAP.	Sep 10, 2009
		The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Releases Additional Rules on HSA Comparable Contributions (Policy Alert) IRS Clarifies Comparable Contribution Rules for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Announces Filing Requirements for Excise Tax Penalties.	Sep 10, 2009
		Health Coach: The Driving Force in Medtronic's Total Health Program, Medtronic, 2009 (Best Practice) Medtronic's comprehensive "Total Health" program makes the health coach the center of the program. On the basis of an annual health risk questionnaire and claims data, coaches identify at-risk employees and invite them to join a lifestyle management or a disease management coaching program.	Sep 09, 2009
		Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Responses (Quick Survey Results) This document Examines employers' responses to seasonal and H1N1 flu, such as on-site vaccinations and leave policies for employees with flu-like symptoms.	Sep 04, 2009
		"Back in Action" at FPL Group, FPL Group, 2009 (Best Practice) FPL's "The Back in Action Healthy Back Challenge," was designed to educate office and field workers on the importance of remaining in good musculoskeletal health, while simultaneously avoiding strain and sprain injuries.	Sep 03, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Slide Deck) This month's topic focused on: employee communications. Featured a case study from Cardinal Health.	Sep 03, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topic focused on: employee communications. Featured a case study from Cardinal Health.	Sep 03, 2009
		OxyWellness: Creating Health Programs from the Ground Up, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, 2009 (Best Practice) The OxyWellness site-based health programs help all employees deal with preventable illness, improve productivity and reduce company health care costs.	Sep 03, 2009
		State Patient Safety Reporting and Disclosure Laws, Rules and Regulations (Chart) A regularly updated chart containing a summary of state patient safety laws	Sep 02, 2009
		Effectiveness of Tools for Health Care Consumers: Review of the Evidence (Report) An analysis of consumer tools that are intended to increase awareness, build knowledge and support decision-making and/or behavior change in health care.	Sep 01, 2009
		Shingles, the Most Common Neurological Disease in the Country? (Health Tips) Provides the economic impact and business case, along with suggested recommendations that employers may instate to curtail the costs and impact on their workforce.	Sep 01, 2009
		Comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Medicare Part B Payment Changes (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health provided comments to CMS supporting updating the equipment utilization rate, providing payment for an initial preventive physical examination, establishing appropriate values for physician fee service schedule, finalizing the parameters for physician resource use measurement and reporting program, transitioning to value-based purchasing program, incentivizing e-prescribing, accrediting for the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging, and reducing physician self-referral.	Aug 31, 2009
		Comments to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Proposed Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System, the Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System, and Quality Measures for Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health provided comments to CMS regarding tying hospital quality data to annual payment rate updates and expanding nonpayment for so-called "never events" to outpatient settings.	Aug 31, 2009
		Vaccinating Against the Flu: A Business Case (Issue Brief) Getting vaccinated makes sense logically and financially. Between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population comes down with the flu every year resulting in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths. The annual national economic burden of influenza epidemics is $87.1 billion. This issue brief presents the employer business case for getting their employees vaccinated against the flu each and every year.	Aug 28, 2009
		Cisco's LifeConnections Center (Webinar Presentation) Dr. Pam Hymel describes Cisco Systems' on-site clinic called LifeConnections. She outlines the rationale for its development, services offered and measures for success.	Aug 25, 2009
		Guiding Principles for the Employer On-Site Clinic (Webinar Presentation) Dr. David Nill discusses the guiding principles used in Cerner's on-site clinic and highlights services offered.	Aug 25, 2009
		Managing Pain in the Workplace: Strategies for Employers (Issue Brief) Painful conditions are a significant source of lost productivity and increased costs for employers, and a major source of stress and anxiety for employees. This issue brief explains how employers can develop an overall strategy that fully supports effective pain management by implementing educational and wellness programs, ensuring comprehensive benefits are available, and developing workplace accommodations to support employees who live with pain.	Aug 25, 2009
		How to Effectively Communicate with Employees about Hospital Quality: A New Business Group Toolkit (Webinar Presentation) This webinar reviews a new Business Group toolkit: Helping Employees Choose the Right Hospital: A Toolkit to Facilitate Effective Employee Communication. The webinar provides background on why the Business Group developed the toolkit and the resources included in it.	Aug 24, 2009
		Reaching Specific Population Segments Culturally Sensitive Communications for Spouses (Webinar Presentation) Cadence Design Systems and UnitedHealthcare have partnered to successfully influence and change individual healthcare decisions by creating compelling communications strategies.	Aug 21, 2009
		Pandemic Flu Work Group: Employers' Response to H1N1 / CDC's National H1N1 Vaccine Efforts (Conference Call Highlights) Three employers discussed their responses to the H1N1 (swine flu) situation on a panel. Additionally, Dr. Pascale Wortley from the CDC presented information about novel H1N1 flu vaccination and the role of employers in national vaccination efforts.	Aug 18, 2009
		Preventive Medications Coverage in CDHPs (Background Information) This matrix provides a summary of the leading Pharmacy Benefits Manager's preventive medication classifications.	Aug 14, 2009
		Joint Letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Rules Committee Chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY) Opposing Provisions in the House Health Reform Bill that Would Limit the Use of Comparative Effectiveness Research (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Rules Committee Chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY) to remove three amendments from the Energy and Commerce Committee included in the House's health reform bill that could limit the use of comparative effectiveness research.	Aug 13, 2009
		An Employer's Guide to Workplace Substance Abuse: Strategies and Treatment Recommendations (Employer Guide) Provides information to help employers understand addiction, the prevalence of substance abuse among working adults, and the costs related to substance abuse. Reducing employee substance abuse can help employers improve productivity, reduce workplace injuries, and decrease health care costs.	Aug 12, 2009
		Preventive Services Coverage in Consumer Driven Health Plans (Background Information) Updated matrix provides a summary of preventive services of which employers might consider providing a different level of coverage in their CDHP.	Aug 11, 2009
		Addressing Racial & Ethnic Disparities at Highmark (Webinar Presentation) Rhonda Johnson, M.D., Medical Director, Health Equity & Quality Service, discusses Highmark Inc's efforts to address racial and ethnic disparities. She shares the health plan role in addressing disparities, and current initiatives at Highmark, including voluntary collection of race, ethnicity and language preference as well as what is being done to improve outreach to members and providers in this area.	Aug 10, 2009
		Aetna's Commitment to Racial and Ethnic Equality (Webinar Presentation) Wayne S. Rawlins M.D., National Medical Director, Aetna Government Health Plans and Michele Toscano, Head, CMO and Informatics Management and Planning, The Office of the Chief Medical Officer, discuss Aetna's commitment to racial and ethnic equality. They provide an overview of the importance of collecting racial and ethnic data, their use of the racial and ethnic equality dashboard to analyze the data, and how employers can collaborate with plans to address disparities.	Aug 10, 2009
		Specialty Pharmaceutical Management: Employer Strategies and Tools (Issue Brief) Provides information to deepen employers' understanding of specialty pharmaceuticals and facilitate informed decision-making. This publication provides tools that can help refine benefit design in order to promote positive health outcomes and manage costs.	Aug 07, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Slide Deck) This month's topic focused on prescription drug use under a CDHP. Featured a case study from Nissan North America, Inc.	Aug 06, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topic focused on prescription drug use under a CDHP.	Aug 06, 2009
		Testimony of LuAnn Heinen, Vice President, National Business Group on Health, to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry on Ways to Reduce Obesity (Testimony) LuAnn Heinen, Vice President, National Business Group on Health testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry on ways Congress can assist employers' efforts to reduce obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.	Aug 05, 2009
		Paid Time Off (PTO) for Volunteering (Quick Survey Results) Examines employers' policies about the use of PTO for volunteering.	Aug 03, 2009
		E. Coli: A Toxic Presence in the Workplace (Health Tips) Provides the economic impact and business case, along with suggested recommendations that employers may instate to curtail the costs and impact on their workforce.	Aug 01, 2009
		Prescription Drug Abuse & the Workplace (Health Tips) Provides the economic impact and business case, along with suggested recommendations that employers may instate to curtail the costs and impact on their workforce.	Aug 01, 2009
		Retiree Health Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topics included: Medicare coordinators and health promotion programs for retirees.	Jul 31, 2009
		Joint Letter to House Expressing Concern about Proposed ERISA Changes in House Health Reform Bill (Comments and Letters) Joint Letter to House Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Boehner (R-OH) expressing concern about granting ERISA waivers to states for health reform, permitted state remedies for health benefit disputes, and prohibiting modifications to retiree health plans in the house health reform bill.	Jul 29, 2009
		Targeted Messaging Webinar Series; Part I: Children and Adolescents (Webinar Presentation) Makers and distributors of the Re-Mission video game for teens with cancer present how users improved their adherence to treatment and became more invested in the treatment of their condition and how the success of their product is informing new work to address sedentary behavior and obesity in adolescents.	Jul 29, 2009
		Large Employers' 2010 Health Plan Designs (Survey Report) Pprovides final results form our annual plan design survey. Topics covered include medical plan costs, pharmacy benefits, medical management initiatives, consumer-directed health care, retiree health, and benefit offering changes due to the economy.	Jul 28, 2009
		Addiction: An Overview of the Illness and its Treatment (Webinar Presentation) Paul Earley, MD, Medical Director, Talbott Recovery Campus, highlights the disease of addiction, including its etiology, the scope of the problem, and how the problem is misunderstood. Strategies and techniques for effective disease management are included.	Jul 23, 2009
		National Business Group on Health's Abbreviated Position Statement on Wellness and Tax Policy (Position Statement) National Business Group on Health's Abbreviated Position Statement on Employee Wellness Programs and Tax Policy	Jul 23, 2009
		Workplace Substance Abuse: Termination or Treatment? (Webinar Presentation) Allan Kennedy, Senior Project Manager, Employee Engagement, ATT, provides information regarding the prevalence of substance abuse in the workplace and related costs to employers. Workplace interventions and strategies to address addiction are also discussed.	Jul 23, 2009
		Joint Letter to Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) and Joe Crowley (D-NY) Supporting Their Efforts to Improve House Health Reform Bill (Comments and Letters) Joint Letter to Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) and Joe Crowley (D-NY) expressing support for a bipartisan effort by the Blue Dog Coalition and New Democrat Coalition on a health reform bill that focuses on controlling costs and improving quality that also protects employer-based health coverage.	Jul 22, 2009
		House and Senate Advance Health Care Reform Bills (Washington Business Health Update) Democrats on two committees (Ways and Means and Education and Labor), passed the House health reform bill, each making some key changes and additions, including many that would draw employers more into health care coverage without any promise that costs will go down in the future (e.g., indefinite COBRA until health exchanges are up and running and no employer reductions in retiree health coverage). Senate Democrats on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) also passed a health reform bill that includes a government-run health plan; a pay-or-play employer mandate; a requirement that every individual obtain health insurance; and government subsidies for those with low incomes.	Jul 21, 2009
		House Passes Bill to Expand Family Leave For Family Members of the Military and Veterans (Washington Business Health Update) The House passed a spending bill that would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) "exigencies" leave for reservists to families of service members on active duty; in the event of deployment, serious injury, or illness in the line of duty; and to veterans receiving "medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy," for a serious injury or illness that begins within 5 years of discharge.	Jul 21, 2009
		Senate Committee Passes Industry-Favored FDA "Fast Track" Process For Biosimilars (Washington Business Health Update) The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed a health reform bill that included 12 years of market exclusivity for brand-name biologic drugs and would permit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create a pathway to approve "biosimilars," or generic versions of biologic drugs.	Jul 21, 2009
		Joint Letter to House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA) and Ranking Member John Kline (R-MN) Opposing a Provision in the Health Reform Bill that Would Eliminate Employers Ability to Manage Retiree Health Coverage (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a joint letter to the House Education and Labor Committee opposing a provision in the House's health reform bill that would prohibit employers from adjusting retiree health benefits to meet the needs of their workforces.	Jul 16, 2009
		Extracting the Details of EMPAQ® for Timely Decision Making - Webinar (Webinar Presentation) Dee Edington, PhD and Helen Darling, provide health and business perspectives about using EMPAQ® to optimize workforce health and productivity while managing the bottom line.	Jul 14, 2009
		Joint Friend of the Court (Amicus) Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Its Review of ERISA Preemption of San Francisco Health Reform Ordinance (Testimony) The National Business Group on Health and the ERISA Industry Committee submitted a Friend of the Court legal brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the petition for judicial review of ERISA Preemption of San Francisco Health Reform Ordinance.	Jul 13, 2009
		Health Care Reform Hits Delays in Congress; Taxing Health Benefits Less Likely (Washington Business Health Update) The House and the Senate faced increased opposition from Democrats and Republicans to taxing employees' health care benefits and a lack of focus on health care delivery reforms to control costs and improve quality that delayed Congress' progress on health care reform.	Jul 10, 2009
		Key Groups Recommend Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research (Washington Business Health Update) The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) made recommendations on comparative effectiveness research priorities to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on how to spend the $1.1 billion authorized for comparative effectiveness research included in the economic recovery law.	Jul 10, 2009
		Policymakers Focus on FDA "Fast Track" Process for Biosimilars (Washington Business Health Update) Pressure in Washington grows to reduce the number of years of market exclusivity for brand biologics from last year's bipartisan agreement to accept 12 years, which Congress never enacted.	Jul 10, 2009
		PTO and Tuition Reimbursement (Quick Survey Results) Examines employers' policies on the use of PTO when on a leave of absence as well as policies regarding tuition reimbursement for part-time employees.	Jul 10, 2009
		Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) Introduces Bill to Reduce Unnecessary Imaging in Medicare (Washington Business Health Update) Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced a bill that would prohibit Medicare physicians from self-referring patients for certain imaging services conducted in their offices [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)]. The bill would still allow physician self-referral for x-rays, ultrasounds and fluoroscopies and imaging services for radiation therapy treatment.	Jul 10, 2009
		Joint Employer Group Letter to Senate Leaders Supporting Senate Finance Committee Health Reform Process (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health along with other employer associations sent a joint letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) supporting the Senate Finance Committee's health reform process.	Jul 09, 2009
		Letter to House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Education  and Labor   Committees  on the House Tri-Committee Draft Health Reform Bill (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means and Education and Labor Committees applauding the provisions in the House Tri-Committee draft health reform bill that would improve quality, expand access to coverage, and more appropriately target payment to effective care and expressing concerns about the impact of a public plan and an employer mandate.	Jul 08, 2009
		Letter to Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) Supporting a Bill to Reduce Overutilization of Medical Imaging (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a support letter for a bill introduced by Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) that would prohibit Medicare physicians from self-referring patients for certain imaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)) conducted in their office, in which they could have a financial interest.	Jul 08, 2009
		Letter to Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee's Draft Health Reform Bill (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a comment letter applauding the provisions in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee's draft health reform bill to improve quality, expand access to coverage, and more appropriately target payment to effective care and expressing employers' concerns about the impact of a public plan, especially if it determines provider payment like Medicare, and an employer mandate.	Jul 06, 2009
		Benefit Plan Opt-Out Programs & Incentives (Quick Survey Results) Provides data what kind and level of incentives employers are using in their opt-out programs.	Jul 02, 2009
		Sleep Disorders: The Unacknowledged Drain on Worker Productivity (Health Tips) Provides the economic impact and business case, along with suggested recommendations that employers may instate to curtail the costs and impact on their workforce.	Jul 01, 2009
		Comments to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on Meaningful Use of Health Information Technology (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health commented that meaningful use of HIT should make measurable improvements in provider effectiveness (quality and safety) and lead to increased efficiency in the delivery of care.	Jun 26, 2009
		H1N1 Response Efforts to Date (Quick Survey Results) Reports how companies responded to the first episode of H1N1, and if and how they plan to alter their pandemic response plans.	Jun 26, 2009
		Breaking News on National Health Reform (Employer Summit Presentation) Steve Wojcik provides employers with details of how health care reform is taking shape by detailing the various proposals in the House and Senate.	Jun 25, 2009
		Communicating a Consumerism Culture: A Marketing and Messaging Workshop for Employers (Employer Summit Presentation) Brenna Haviland of the National Business Group on Health highlights the various communication pieces different employers are utilizing to engage their employees in their health.	Jun 25, 2009
		Communicating a Consumerism Culture: A Marketing and Messaging Workshop for Employers (Employer Summit Notes) Participants showcased their pieces of communication to solicit feedback and potentially gain new ideas and strategies for engagement.	Jun 25, 2009
		Contribution Strategies (Employer Summit Presentation) Beth Lieberman of Watson Wyatt Worldwide details the various contribution strategies employers can use in their benefit design.	Jun 25, 2009
		Contribution Strategies (Employer Summit Notes) Participants shared details of the contribution strategies of their own companies and questioned Beth Lieberman of Watson Wyatt Worldwide about the trends of other large employers.	Jun 25, 2009
		Energy for Greater Engagement, Performance & Health (Employer Summit Presentation) Tips for managing energy vs. time to maximize achievement of personal goals at work and in life.	Jun 25, 2009
		Financial Incentives - Role of Incentives in Health Care (Employer Summit Presentation) Cindy Sloat of PepsiCo details the various financial incentive her company has implemented for smoking cessation, comprehensive condition management, and care management as well as the results PepsiCo has experienced.	Jun 25, 2009
		Financial Incentives: What the Evidence Tells Us (Employer Summit Notes) Participants discussed details regarding the financial incentives rewards programs at PepsiCo and Union Pacific Railroad Company.	Jun 25, 2009
		Health, Quality, and Cost Management: The Pepsi Bottling Approach (Employer Summit Presentation) Mark Sullivan details Pepsi Bottling Group's approach to benefit strategy during the tough economy.	Jun 25, 2009
		House Democrats Provide More Details on Their Health Reform Proposal (Washington Business Health Update) House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) kicked off hearings this week on an 852 page health care overhaul bill drafted with House Ways and Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel (D-NY) and House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA).	Jun 25, 2009
		House Holds Hearings on Mandating Paid Sick Leave (Washington Business Health Update) Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Chair of the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protection, held a hearing on a bill introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) that would mandate that employers with at least 15 employees provide employees with 7 paid sick leave days each year.	Jun 25, 2009
		IBM's Approach to Health Care: Innovative Health Care Strategy During Challenging Times and Health (Employer Summit Presentation) Marianne De Fazio details IBM's innovative strategy to control health care cost trends through aggressive management.	Jun 25, 2009
		Managing Energy for Performance (Background Information) Energy Management Technology guide for increased employee engagement and overall productivity.	Jun 25, 2009
		National Business Group on Health's 2010 Plan Design Survey (Employer Summit Presentation) Helen Darling details the results of NBGH's Annual Plan Design Survey of large employers.	Jun 25, 2009
		Plan Design 2010 (Employer Summit Notes) Employers shared their strategies for approaching 2010 from a plan design perspective and discuss the challenges and concerns they face.	Jun 25, 2009
		President Open to Some Medical Liability Changes in Health Reform (Washington Business Health Update) President Barack Obama left the door open to include in the health reform bill a "safe harbor" against medical malpractice lawsuits to protect doctors who follow evidence-based medical practice guidelines.	Jun 25, 2009
		Senate Health Reform Bills' Price Tags Cause Concern, Delays (Washington Business Health Update) The $1 trillion plus estimates of two key Senate committees' health reform bills by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) are slowing Congress' drive towards health care reform.	Jun 25, 2009
		The Evidence Behind Value-Based Pharmacy Design (Employer Summit Notes) Participants shared details of their company's value-based pharmaceutical benefit design and ask questions regarding the specifics of Lowe's value-based pharmacy design.	Jun 25, 2009
		The Evidence Behind Value-Based Pharmacy Design: What We Know (Employer Summit Presentation) Kyle Wendt, VP at Lowe's details the value-based pharmaceutical benefit design Lowe's has implemented.	Jun 25, 2009
		The Evidence Behind Value-Based Pharmacy Design: What We Know (Employer Summit Presentation) Ronnie Goff of the National Business Group on Health provides an introduction to value-based benefit design including objectives, challenges, and unknowns.	Jun 25, 2009
		The Ties That Bind A Nation: Union Pacific (Employer Summit Presentation) Sharon Beschorner details the types of financial incentives Union Pacific has implemented for smoking cessation, health risk assessments, and annual physicals as well as the results the company has experienced.	Jun 25, 2009
		Total Health Program- Medtronic, Inc. (Employer Summit Presentation) 2009 Platinum award winning Medtronic, Inc. highlights their Total Health program, which provides resources growth, mind, body, heart and spirit.	Jun 25, 2009
		Total Population Health Management, OxyWellness (Employer Summit Presentation) Gives an overview of the The Dow Chemical Company's LightenUP environmental and ecological intervention program aimed at preventing and managing overweight/obesity in the workplace.	Jun 25, 2009
		Value-Based Plan Designs and Health Coaching: Better Health Care at Lower Cost (Employer Summit Presentation) Provides examples and analysis of the financial and health benefits accrued from investments in targeted plan design and health coaching initiatives, with an emphasis on diabetes.	Jun 25, 2009
		Well at Dell-Return on Investment and Best Practices from Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles winner (Employer Summit Presentation) 2009 Platinum award winning Dell, Inc. highlights their health improvement program and its favorable impact on group health and productivity results.	Jun 25, 2009
		Wellness Impact Scorecard©: Putting It to Work for You (Employer Summit Presentation) This presentation describes the Wellness Impact Scorecard© which gives employers an objective and quantitative way to assess the value of their wellness programs.	Jun 25, 2009
		Worksite Wellness: The Evidence of ROI and Health Impact (Employer Summit Presentation) Ddescribes innovative worksite wellness programs and provides evidence of the ROI and health impact that these activities have demonstrated.	Jun 25, 2009
		Take Charge, Invest In Your Health-Campbell Soup Company (Employer Summit Presentation) 2009 Best Employer for Healthy Lifestyles Platinum award winning company highlights their holistic approach to employee wellness, which leads to improved health and reduced health care costs.	Jun 24, 2009
		Total Population Health Management, OxyWellness (Employer Summit Presentation) 2009 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Platinum award winning Occidental Petroleum Corporation, highlights their long-standing experience with national employee health management and use of targeted health improvement programs to drive behavior change.	Jun 24, 2009
		Joint Letter to Senate HELP Committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Ranking Member Michael Enzi (R-WY) and House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA) and Ranking Member Joe Kline (R-MN) Opposing a Bill to Mandate Paid Sick Leave (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a joint letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) and House Education and Labor Committees opposing a bill that would mandate that employers with at least 15 employees provide employees with 7 paid sick leave days each year.	Jun 23, 2009
		More Details of House Health Reform Bill and Overview of Where Things Stand (Webinar Presentation) Steve Wojcik, NBGH's Vice President of Public Policy, will provide details of the House health reform bill released last Friday, a high-level comparison of the House bill with both Senate bills, and offer an assessment of what's likely to happen next on health reform. We will reserve time at the end of the presentation for questions.	Jun 23, 2009
		National Business Group on Health's Position Statement on Health Care Liability (Position Statement) Healthcare legal reform needed now.	Jun 23, 2009
		Retiree Medical and Medicare Advantage (MA) (Quick Survey Results) Looks at companies contracting with Medicare Advantage vendors, especially what renewal rates vendors are quoting employers.	Jun 23, 2009
		Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles 2009 Awards Program (Background Information) 63 large employers are recognized as winners of the 2009 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyle Awards - demonstrating strong employer commitment to workplace health and wellness programs	Jun 22, 2009
		Letter to Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) Regarding FDA Authority to Approve Follow-on Biologics (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) supporting the recommendations of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that a twelve year or longer market exclusivity period for brand biologics is too long and that additional incentives such as a 6 month or longer market exclusivity period for first follow-on biologics to compete with pioneer biologics may actually hurt consumers.	Jun 19, 2009
		Letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg with Recommendations on the FDA's Goals (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with recommendations in the areas of drug and medical device safety, the FDA's Sentinel Initiative, the FDA's current abbreviated approval process for drugs and medical devices, incorporating comparative effectiveness research into the approval process, and creating a pathway for the FDA to approve biosimilar drugs.	Jun 18, 2009
		Letter to Senator Max Baucus and Senator Kent Conrad Applauding their Recognition of Comparative Effectiveness Research as Essential to Health Reform (Comments and Letters) Letter applauding Senators Baucus and Conrad on the reintroduction of a bill that would expand comparative effectiveness research. The Business Group believes that as a public good, the research should be federally funded.	Jun 18, 2009
		Health Care in Retirement: Methods for Coverage and Funding (Report) This comprehensive report investigates coverage and funding for two stages of retirement: pre-65 and Medicare-eligible.	Jun 16, 2009
		Older Workers Who Can't Retire: Trends and Impact (Issue Update) Looks at the new group of employees that has emerged since the economic crisis began, older workers who cannot afford to retire, and it explores what employers should be doing to accommodate this change in workforce demographics.	Jun 16, 2009
		Rebuilding our Primary Care Infrastructure (Employer Guide) This Employer Guide outlines steps employers can take today to help build primary care capabilities, reform physician payment, communicate primary care value, and increase the supply of primary care physicians.	Jun 16, 2009
		Addressing Health Care Disparities (Webinar Presentation) Rebecca Main, Director, Benefit Plans, Marriott International, Inc. shares Marriott's customized approach to addressing disparities among associates in Texas and New York City.	Jun 15, 2009
		Addressing Health Care Disparities (Webinar Presentation) Fred Williams, Director, Health Benefits Management, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated describes Quest Diagnostics' initial efforts to address health disparities in colon cancer.	Jun 15, 2009
		Addressing Racial and Ethic Disparities: Employer Initiatives (Webinar Presentation) Provides an overview of the Business Group's work on health disparities.	Jun 15, 2009
		Letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader John Boehner On the Importance of Health Care Legal Reform as Part of Comprehensive Health Reform Legislation (Comments and Letters) Letter to Senate and House leadership urging health care legal reform be included in comprehensive health reform legislation.	Jun 15, 2009
		Prudential Health Disparities Webinar Presentation (Webinar Presentation) As a Thompson Reuters 2009 Healthcare Advantage Award winner, K. Andrew Crighton, Chief Medical Officer, Prudential Financial, shares Prudential's use of data to better understand and address health care disparities in its employee population.	Jun 15, 2009
		House Outlines Its Health Care Reform Bill (Washington Business Health Update) House Ways and Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel (D-NY), Energy and Commerce Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Education and Labor Chair George Miller (D-CA) released an outline of the House's health reform bill, which includes an employer mandate.	Jun 12, 2009
		Senate HELP Committee Unveils Health Care Reform Bill (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), working with staff for Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a 615 page health reform bill, which does not include a government-run plan or an employer mandate but will likely include them in its final version.	Jun 12, 2009
		Senate Plans to Vote Next Month on "Card Check" Union Expansion Bill (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), author of the "card check" union bill that would make it make it easier for employees to form unions if they collect the signatures of at least half of companies' workforces, indicated that he plans to bring the bill up for a vote next month following weeks of negotiations with key Senate stakeholders Arlen Specter (D-PA), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and the AFL-CIO.	Jun 12, 2009
		Senator Re-introduces Bill to Boost Comparative Effectiveness Research (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) re-introduced a bill, that they plan to include in the Senate Finance Committee's health reform bill, that would greatly increase our nation's ability to provide doctors, patients, and payers with evidence about the clinical effectiveness of alternative health care services and treatments.	Jun 12, 2009
		Details of Just-Released House and Key Senate Health Reform Legislative Proposals (Webinar Presentation) Steve Wojcik, Vice President of Public Policy, leads a discussion of key items in proposed health reform legislation from the House and Senate HELP Committee, specifically focusing on the impact on employer-sponsored health coverage.	Jun 11, 2009
		Offering Severance Benefits to Employees (Quick Survey Results) Examines the eligibility details of large employers around severance benefits.	Jun 11, 2009
		Letter to Representative John Larson (D-CT) Supporting the Medical FSA Improvement Act of 2009 (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a letter to Representative John Larson supporting the temporary suspension of "the use or lose it rule" for 2 years to allow people, including the self-employed and the newly unemployed, to cash-out their remaining balances at the end of the year without penalty but taxes them.	Jun 09, 2009
		National Business Group on Health's Position Statement on Comparative Effectiveness Research (Position Statement) The National Business Group on Health supports independent studies comparing the effectiveness of new and existing medical interventions.	Jun 09, 2009
		IRS Updates Frequently Asked Questions on Temporary COBRA Subsidies (Policy Alert) The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its Frequently Asked Questions on new federal subsidies for COBRA continuation coverage mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).	Jun 08, 2009
		Off-Sets for State Disability Benefits (Quick Survey Results) Explores how many companies do off-sets for state disability benefits in-house.	Jun 05, 2009
		The Recession's Toll on Employees' Health: Findings from the Business Group's New Survey of Employees (Webinar Presentation) Business Group Director of Benchmarking and Analysis, Karen Marlo, reviews the results from the Business Group's 2009 survey of 1,500 employees of large employers. This survey focused on understanding on how the recession has impacted their overall health, their health care decision making and how they value their employer-sponsored health benefits.	Jun 05, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topic focused on: new consumerism tools and resources.	Jun 04, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care Monthly Conference Call (Slide Deck) This month's topic focused on: new consumerism tools and resources.	Jun 04, 2009
		Recommended Wellness Visits Charts for Children, Adolescents, and Women (Employee Tip Sheet) Wellness visits promote and protect the health of every individual. This publication, intended for employees, includes charts and descriptions of the components of a good wellness visit for children, adolescents, and women across the age continuum.	Jun 03, 2009
		Influenza H1N1 - Lessons Learned: Re-Tooling the Plan before the Next Wave (Report) International SOS complied these lessons learned by multinational employers responding to H1N1.	Jun 01, 2009
		Seventh Award for Excellence and Innovation in Value Purchasing (Background Information) Dr. Catherine Baase, The Dow Chemical Company and Dr. Pamela Hymel, Cisco Systems received the National Business Group on Health's Seventh Annual Award of Excellence and Innovation in Value Purchasing.	Jun 01, 2009
		The High Cost of Motor Vehicle Injuries (Health Tips) Provides the economic impact and business case, along with suggested recommendations that employers may instate to curtail the costs and impact on their workforce.	Jun 01, 2009
		"Card Check" Union Expansion Bill Gains Ground (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), who recently switched to the Democratic party has been negotiating with labor leaders, Vice-President Joe Biden and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) to reach a compromise on a "card check" bill that would make it easier for employees to form unions if they collect the signatures of at least half of companies' workforces.	May 28, 2009
		FSA Withdrawal under HEART Act (Quick Survey Results) Examines employers' responses to the HEART Act as it relates to FSA withdrawals.	May 28, 2009
		House Re-Introduces Paid Sick Leave Bill (Washington Business Health Update) Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) re-introduced an updated version of a bill that would mandate that employers with more than 15 employees provide a minimum of 7 paid sick days.	May 28, 2009
		Infertility Benefits (Quick Survey Results) Explores what kind of infertility treatments and diagnostic procedures employers are covering under their health benefits.	May 28, 2009
		Republicans Release Alternative Health Reform Plan that Would Also Tax Employer-Sponsored Coverage (Washington Business Health Update) Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Representatives Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) introduced an alternative proposal to Democratic health care reform plans, similar to Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) presidential campaign proposal that would eliminate the current tax benefits of employer-provided coverage--rather than cap it as proposed by the Senate Finance Committee.	May 28, 2009
		Senate Finance Committee Suggests Taxing Employer-Sponsored Coverage to Help Pay for Health Care Reform (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) released their list of options to pay for health reform plans to cover the uninsured, including a number of modifications to the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health coverage.	May 28, 2009
		Comments to the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) Regarding the Final Regulations for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 (Comments and Letters) The Business Group submitted comments to the EBSA recommending that final regulations for MHPAEA include guidance on the definitions of substantially all medical and surgical benefits, predominant financial requirements and treatment limitations, and other issues for employer sponsored group health plans.	May 27, 2009
		Improving Adolescent Health Status through Preventive Services (Issue Brief) Although most adolescents are healthy, they often do not receive the recommended preventive services to keep them healthy throughout the life span. This issue brief outlines how improving the health of adolescents will likely reduce both direct and indirect costs while ensuring a healthier workforce for the future.	May 27, 2009
		The Recession's Toll on Employees' Health Executive Summary (Executive Summary) This online survey of 1,500 employees of large employers asked employees how has the recession impacted their overall health, their health care decision making and how they value their employer-sponsored health benefits.	May 27, 2009
		Letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) on Options to Finance Comprehensive Health Reform (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committees supporting more appropriate Medicare payment for imaging services and reducing Medicare spending in geographic areas with unwarranted high spending. The National Business Group on Health also expressed concerns regarding modifying the tax exclusion for employer-provided health care and health accounts (HSAs and FSAs).	May 26, 2009
		Comments to HHS Regarding Securing Personal Health Information (PHI) (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in response to a request for information on the implementing guidelines of the new Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act.	May 21, 2009
		Letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) on Options to Expand Health Care Coverage (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committees supporting employer wellness credits and employee wellness incentives, prevention and wellness in Medicare, increased Medicaid coverage, data collection to address health care disparities, grants to reduce infant mortality and improve maternal well being. The National Business Group on Health also expressed concerns regarding a proposed employer mandate, minimum benefit requirements, a new public plan and a health insurance exchange.	May 21, 2009
		Safeway Health Care Program (Report) Outlines the characteristics of Safeway's market-based health care (MBHC) strategy and provides results on the uptake and cost trends Safeway experienced after implementation.	May 20, 2009
		Details of Key House Committee Health Reform Plan Emerge (Washington Business Health Update) House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) released preliminary details of his health reform bill that includes an employer mandate, an individual mandate, a government-run plan, low-income health care subsidies and a health insurance exchange.	May 19, 2009
		New Report Predicts Medicare Will Be Bankrupt By 2017 (Washington Business Health Update) The trustees for the Social Security and Medicare programs issued a new report that concluded that the recession has moved both programs closer to insolvency.	May 19, 2009
		Public Policy Webinar: Moving Quickly from Talk to Action (Webinar Presentation) Steve Wojcik, National Business Group on Health, Vice President of Public Policy, provides an update on health care reform initiatives in Congress and the Obama administration.	May 19, 2009
		Senate Finance Committee Considers Taxing Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage (Washington Business Health Update) Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and ranking member Charles Grassley (R-IA) heard from economists and representatives of business and labor about the pros and cons of placing a cap on the tax-exempt status of employer-sponsored health coverage to help pay for coverage for the uninsured, at the Committee's third and final health reform roundtable.	May 19, 2009
		Two Bills Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Introduced in the House (Washington Business Health Update) Two House members introduced bills that would expand the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) including Representative Carol Shea-Porter's (D-NH) bill would nullify, restore and revise certain recently passed regulations under the FMLA and Representative Carolyn Maloney's (D-NY) bill would permit FMLA leave to care for same-sex spouses, domestic partners, parents-in-law, adult children, siblings or grandparents with serious health condition.	May 19, 2009
		The Recession's Toll on Employee Health (Survey Report) This online survey of 1,500 employees of large employers asked employees how has the recession impacted their overall health, their health care decision making and how they value their employer-sponsored health benefits.	May 18, 2009
		Comment Letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) on Options to Reform Health Care Delivery and Payment (Comments and Letters) The National Business Group on Health sent a comment letter on the Senate Finance Committees supporting health care delivery changes to improve value-based payment for quality care, moving towards real "pay for performance" for doctors and hospitals, boosting primary care, expanding the use of health-information technology and improving the coordination of care for those with chronic illnesses. The Business Group also expressed concerns over the taxation of the private plans for comparative effectiveness research and changes to the Medicare Advantage program.	May 15, 2009
		Managing Stress in Times of Economic Uncertainty (Top Solutions) Provides workforce strategies on how to target employee communications and promote health and wellness programs for identifying and managing stress during economic uncertainty.	May 15, 2009
		Employer Strategies for Tobacco Cessation (Webinar Presentation) Wendy Slavit, Senior Program Analyst, National Business Group on Health shares how the findings of several recently published studies can help employers improve existing strategies and examine successful pharmacologic interventions for smoking cessation.	May 14, 2009
		Incentives/Disincentives Based on Weight (Quick Survey Results) Provides data on incentives and disincentives for employees to achieve and maintain a certain weight/BMI.	May 14, 2009
		Pandemic Flu Work Group: Employers' Use of Antiviral Reservation Programs (Conference Call Highlights) Dr. Stuart Weiss of MedPrep Consulting Group, presented an overview of employer antiviral reservation programs provided by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline. An employer presented its strategy and rationale for selecting an employer antiviral reservation program. John Brownlee of Quinnian Health, Inc shared how employers utilize these programs and what challenges they face. Dan Seewald of Roche and Mick Stanley of GlaxoSmithKline updated members on the impact of the current H1N1 (swine flu) situation on these programs.	May 12, 2009
		Testimony of Steven Wojcik, Vice President, Public Policy, National Business Group on Health, to the Senate Finance Committee Roundtable on Financing Health Care Reform (Testimony) The National Business Group on Health testified to the Senate Finance Committee on the key role of the current tax treatment of employer-sponsored health coverage and areas to improve efficiency and reduce waste to help finance health reform.	May 12, 2009
		Benefits in the Downturn: Market Pulse on Employer Actions and Outlook (Webinar Presentation) Ron Fontanetta, Towers Perrin, and Scott H. Beeken, American Financial Group, describe the results of recent surveys that capture the current state of the benefits market and how employers are addressing today's economic challenges with an eye to the future.	May 11, 2009
		Health and Voluntary Benefits Offerings (Quick Survey Results) Presents data for several health and voluntary benefits, including dependent life insurance, one-on-one financial planning, dental cost sharing, health navigator/advocate, claims advocacy and high performance networks.	May 11, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care Monthly Conference Call (Slide Deck) This month's topic focused on: financial incentives.	May 07, 2009
		Consumer-Directed Health Care: Financial Incentives (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topic focused on: financial incentives.	May 07, 2009
		Weighty Matters: How Obesity Drives Poor Health and Health Spending in the U.S. (Report) New data from Dr. Kenneth Thorpe documenting the staggering costs associated with obesity and calling on Congress to make important tax changes to encourage employees to participate in employer-sponsored health and wellness programs.	May 07, 2009
		Government and Employer Responses to H1N1 (Swine Flu) Epidemic (Conference Call Highlights) This call focused on issues related to H1N1 Flu and employer response to the situation. Kathy Skipper of CDC briefed members about H1N1 Flu and recently released CDC guidance materials.	May 05, 2009
		Congress Continues Drive Toward Health Reform (Washington Business Health Update) Congress passed a $3.56 trillion budget for 2010 that includes a fast-track procedure for health reform, held a hearing on employer sponsored-coverage, employer mandates and a possible government run-health plan and released a number of health care delivery and payment changes that could be included in the Senates bipartisan version of the health reform bill expected in June.	May 04, 2009
		Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends Disclosing Health Industry Gifts to Physicians (Washington Business Health Update) The Institute of Medicine (IOM) called on Congress to pass legislation that would require drug and device makers to publicly disclose all payments made to doctors and to end industry financing of continuing medical education courses.	May 04, 2009
		Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) Re-Introduces Bills To Remove Tax Barriers For Wellness Programs (Washington Business Health Update) Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Zach Wamp (R-TN) re-introduced two bills that would allow people to use up to $1,000 from their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and/or Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) and would allow employers to provide $900 tax-free per employee for fitness center fees, to buy equipment or pay for physical exercise programs.	May 04, 2009
		Benchmark Findings: How Fortune 500 companies and others are responding to the H1N1 virus (Report) International SOS surveyed multinational employers on their responses to H1N1.	May 01, 2009
		H1N1 Flu(swine flu) - Employers' Policy Responses (Quick Survey Results) Explores how employers were responding or considering responding in the U.S. in to the evolving H1N1 Flu situation.	May 01, 2009
		Letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Proposed Regulations to Implement the Genetic Information Non-disclosure Act (Comments and Letters) The Business Group submitted comments to the EEOC emphasizing that the requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are more than sufficient for determining whether employer-sponsored wellness programs are voluntary.	May 01, 2009
		New Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations (Health Tips) Provides the economic impact and business case, along with suggested recommendations that employers may instate to curtail the costs and impact on their workforce.	May 01, 2009
		Retiree Health Benchmarking (Conference Call Highlights) This month's topics included: new models for retiree health care; required health risk assessments.	May 0