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A free monthly newsletter for plan sponsors and employee benefits 
professionals published by The Benefit Services Group, Inc.

Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 Creates New Requirements for Employers
EXCERPT: "On December 10, 2004, President Bush signed into law the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act (the “Act”). The Act modifies and extends housing, education, and other benefits for the Nation's veterans by amending portions of Title 38 of the United States Code, including the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). USERRA, enacted in October 1994, provides reemployment protection and other benefits for veterans and employees who perform military service."
Full Article 
December 15, 2004—Seyfarth Shaw LLP


HSA Road Rules
EXCERPT: "This is an authoritative document that some of the best HSA minds in the nation have reviewed. HSA Road Rules was written to condense the guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury into key rules, and do it in as plain and clear language as possible. Its purpose is to bring clarity to how HSAs work and to accelerate HSA adoption."
Full Article 
December 8, 2004—The HSA Insider 

Employee Satisfaction With Health Benefits Remains Surprisingly High, Watson Wyatt Survey Finds
EXCERPT: "Watson Wyatt’s 2004 WorkUSA® survey of nearly 13,000 employees found that 61 percent of workers are satisfied with their health plan, virtually the same percentage as in 1994 and 1999. Only 17 percent are dissatisfied, while the remaining 23 percent have mixed feelings. Two years ago, the percentage of employees satisfied with their health benefits was slightly higher, at 64 percent."
Full Article 
December 2, 2004—Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Trends: The Impact Of Obesity On Rising Medical Spending
ABSTRACT: "Obese people incur higher health care costs at a given point in time, but how rising obesity rates affect spending growth over time is unknown. We estimate obesity-attributable health care spending increases between 1987 and 2001. Increases in the proportion of and spending on obese people relative to people of normal weight account for 27 percent of the rise in inflation-adjusted per capita spending between 1987 and 2001; spending for diabetes, 38 percent; spending for hyperlipidemia, 22 percent; and spending for heart disease, 41 percent. Increases in obesity prevalence alone account for 12 percent of the growth in health spending."
Full Article October 20, 2004—Health Affairs

The entire BSG staff joins together in wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you in 2005.
       

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The preceding is not intended to be and is not offered as legal advice. We are prohibited from the practice of law. Compliance is the responsibility of the employer or Plan sponsor and affected employees, who should seek their own legal counsel regarding questions about information presented in this newsletter.

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