Academy Multiemployer Plan Subcommittee Chairperson Eli Greenblum discussed the current state of multiemployer pension plans. Greenblum said that "many of the industries in which multiemployer plans are prevalent are hurting" and that the plans have limitations regarding how they are funded.
Sen. Lamar Alexander cited an Academy comment letter regarding health care reform legislation during a Senate session (minute 41). Sen. Alexander also entered the Academy's letter into the Senate record.
The Academy's May 2009 monograph on consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) data was cited by Sen. John Cornyn during Senate session (minute 75). According to research studies reviewed by the Academy's CDHP Work Group, CDHPs can save as much as 12 to 20 percent in health care costs in the first year.
Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello explained the basics of determining health insurance premiums. She said it begins with ensuring that total premiums collected are adequate to cover claims and expenses.
Academy Medical Professional Liability Subcommittee Chairperson Kevin Bingham discussed the potential consequences of legislation to repeal an antitrust exemption for medical professional liability insurers. Bingham said the repeal could preclude data collection and aggregation across companies, which could reduce competition and potentially increase premiums.