Health Care Reform

Josh Jeffries is a principal at Arkin Youngentob, which has been in business for more than half a century.

After years of regulatory whiplash, companies are directing their attention to plan designs, contribution strategies and employee health initiatives.

A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 61 percent of people enrolled in marketplace plans are satisfied with their insurance choices, but 53 percent think the market is collapsing.

Because the new plans will not be defined as "health insurance," they will not be subject to a variety of state and federal insurance regulations. Or so proponents hope.

The lawsuit marked a bold move against the state's dominant health care system in Northern California as concerns mount nationally about consolidation among hospitals, insurers and other industry middlemen.

The proposed rules broaden and relax the business purpose and standards by allowing small business owners to join together to sponsor an association health plans.