Employee health benefit costs rose less than expected in 2009, according to a study conducted by human resource consulting firm Mercer. As reported by Employee Benefit News, the average per-employee cost of health benefits rose just 5.5% to $8,945,… more »

While the Senate voted to move the debate forward on Saturday, the government-run insurance plan provision promises to be the biggest stumbling block toward the passage of its reform legislation. Several moderate Democrat and Independent senators have… more »

The Senate may vote this Saturday on whether to proceed with its health care reform bill. According to The New York Times, the bill would provide coverage to 31 million uninsured people at a cost of $821 billion over 10 years. Many provisions of the… more »

The head of the Department of Health and Human Services has come out against new guidelines for breast cancer screening, which we noted earlier this week. The Washington Post reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the… more »

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has modified breast cancer screening guidelines in what is being reported as a controversial move. The task force, which is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, has recommended that routine… more »

A brief piece on the Miller Chevalier law firm website warns employers that the IRS has already begun to audit employers that claim the COBRA subsidy on their Employer Quarterly Federal Tax Returns (2009 Form 941). When filing this form, an employer… more »

One down, one to go. The House health care reform bill passed late Saturday night by a vote of 220-215. The vote fell mainly along party lines, although 39 Democrats voted against the bill and one Republican voted for it. USA Today provides a house roll… more »

The Washington Post reports that Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists that the House health care reform bill will be put to a final vote on Saturday, despite concerns that the bill has insufficient support from House Democrats. Prior to Pelosi’s… more »

The potential postponement of a finalized health care reform bill may result in an extension of the COBRA subsidy program. Employer Benefit News reports that the eligibility date for COBRA coverage to involuntarily terminated workers may extend beyond… more »

The Wall Street Journal reports that the prospects of passing a health care form bill this year are fading. While House legislation could potentially come to a vote in the coming weeks, the Senate has yet to argue its plan – so getting a combined… more »