Benefits Broker

Negotiating teams for the two largest state government unions in Pennsylvania took turns meeting with administration officials Tuesday in a concentrated effort to reach agreements on contracts that expire next week.

Colin Hanna, president of conservative group Let Freedom Ring, announced today on Capitol Hill the launch of the “Cut, Cap and Balance Pledge,” which asks members of Congress and citizens to commit to opposing an “irresponsible increase in our debt limit.”

Many brokers today remain skeptical that consumer-directed health plans will fulfill their promise. But they are missing the point: the connection between health and financial security is clear to employers and, increasingly, to their employees.

To reduce government red ink, Republicans are willing to raise government revenues, but not increase taxes. Congressional Democrats would accept reductions in Medicare spending, yet no cuts in benefits.

Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of manipulating policies and forcing California patients into higher deductible policies with fewer benefits.

NFL owners and players are discussing a straight split of income in the next collective bargaining agreement that would net the players just under 50 percent of total revenues.

President Barack Obama's health care law would let several million middle-class people get nearly free insurance meant for the poor, a twist government number crunchers say they discovered only after the complex bill was signed.

Is it me, or is putting “Sleepy” Joe Biden in charge of cutting government waste a little like hiring John Edwards to tackle campaign finance reform?