Health Care Reform
With changes occurring daily, this monthly publication is not positioned to bring you up-to-the-minute news on developments with the House and Senate bills. However, the BSG Contracts, Compliance and Research team continues to follow a multitude of sources on health care reform, from mainstream press to government sites to industry sources. After decisions are made, we can bypass conjecture and project how those decisions will impact our clients' needs.
Obama signs the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act
On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act ("2010 NDAA" or "NDAA"). Effective immediately, the NDAA amends the national Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA):
- Qualifying exigency leave is expanded to include family members (spouses, children and parents) of individuals deployed to or returning from a foreign country due to service with the Armed Forces
- The definition of serious illness or injury of a covered service member now includes injuries or illness of veterans, as well as conditions which existed before the beginning of the member's active duty which were aggravated by active duty service regardless of when they first manifested
- The definition of a covered service member now includes veterans of the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves)
- A veteran is only a covered service member if the medical treatment, recuperation or therapy he or she receives occurs within five years of the date he or she left the Armed Services.
Employers will need to revise their FMLA policies (and likely their FMLA forms) to address the expanded availability of qualifying exigency leave and expanded definitions of "covered service member" and "serious illness or injury." Employers will also need to discuss the broadened FMLA coverage with the individuals responsible for administering their FMLA program.
The family and medical leave provisions for service member families are viewable here, under Section 565 of the Authorization Act.Corporate Wellness Programs: Healthier Employees, Lower Costs
Studies have shown the [Johnson & Johnson] program - called 'Live for Life' - has resulted in significant improvements in employee health as well as a reduction in company health care costs. Recently, Johnson & Johnson also launched a project to market corporate wellness administration to other companies. Dr. Fikry Isaac, executive director of global health services at Johnson & Johnson, runs the company's wellness program. He spoke recently with KHN's Jenny Gold about Johnson & Johnson's program and how corporate wellness could be incorporated into the current effort to overhaul the nation's health system.
