Politics as usual

Here is a really informative analysis of the issue of whether unions are disproportionally exempt from Healthcare reform. (They are not).

Adult children health insurance coverage

According to Workforce Management, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Internal Revenue Service have issued regulations clarifying the obligation to cover adult children of covered employees by employer provided health insurance. The rules make it clear there can be no employer surcharge, and that children previously aged out, or who elected COBRA continuation, must be given an opportunity to re-enroll.

Health insurance for adult children of covered employees

The Internal Revenue Service has green-lighted an employer's ability to amend health insurance plans to permit tax free coverage of an employees adult children up to age 27. Many health insurers have agreed to implement the expended coverage before the mandated deadline, provided employers agree.

HCR 2

David Frum again makes sense noting the issues on which the GOP can regroup on healthcare, and the ones that will continue to destroy all possibility of either civilized discourse or reform. Frum is particularly on point about employer provided insurance as being the original sin of healthcare, as well as fines on employers who discontinue healthcare being a lousy solution.

Healthcare reform

This blogger has resisted posting about healthcare reform because there is ample information about every facet of legislation that essentially remains a work in progress. Once there is a final result, bill passes or bill is defeated, we will have plenty of opportunity to comment on the effect of the final result upon employers and their employees. For now we will note that labor supports the House version of the bill. As for the Senate bill, Labor will lobby to increase employer mandates, eliminate the excise tax on Cadillac plans and include a strong public option.