In the News

Key Points of COBRA Subsidy Extension
Contained in DOD 2010
A Summary prepared by The Ross Companies

FAQs For Employees About COBRA Health Coverage
– Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration

As Washington continues to wrestle with appropriate “fixes” to help the economy, and especially aid the plight of workers laid off as a result of the current economic malaise, the most recent legislation affecting the employee benefit community extends the temporary subsidy available under COBRA for a limited period of time.

This link will take you to a summary of the key provisions of recent legislation extending the COBRA subsidy, including Employers’ obligations, how employees are affected, notice requirements and other aspects of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (DOD 2010).

Employers are required to provide notices to both current and former employees and beneficiaries under the new law.

For additional background information on COBRA itself, you may wish to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions prepared by DOL/EBSA. Click on this link for an informative, detailed discussion of all of the aspects of COBRA.

Health Care Reform Analysis of Key Issues
A Monograph Developed by The Ross Companies

Comparison of Senate and House Bills
– The New York Times

There is increasing daily press regarding proposed health care reform.  We at The Ross Companies have been tracking the legislation from the beginning.  Now that we are closer to knowing the range of what might occur, we wanted to share our observations and thoughts.

This link brings you to a brief monograph surveying key provisions and major issues from an employer perspective.  While the primary thrust of the legislation is to cover 35 million uninsured people, there are aspects of the proposed legislation which could significantly impact employer provided medical plans.

Ultimately there may be important decisions for employers who sponsor plans and employers who do not offer plans.

Those wishing to learn more about the proposed Senate and House bills, should click on this link, for an updated in depth comparison prepared by The New York Times including the just passed Senate bill.

Charlotte P. Armstrong – Panelist at Harvard's Women's Leadership Summit

Charlotte P. Armstrong, Senior Consultant at The Ross Companies, and a member of Harvard Law School's first class to graduate women, participated in The Women’s Leadership Summit at Harvard Law School in September 2008.  Mrs. Armstrong, former president of the Harvard Law School Association and of Harvard University's Board of Overseers, was a panelist at the plenary session entitled Defining Leadership:  Personal Visions for Law and Life.

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