New Study Shares Data On Migrant Health Care Challenges Along The Border

August 24, 2009

Health care costs, care concerns and other health care utilization and risk patterns are a common issue of discussion in the continuing health care reform discussion. Meanwhile, employers, health care providers and policy leaders in Border States or elsewhere who employ a significant number of migrant workers frequently express interest in more information about the health care and disability care and benefit needs, understanding and utilization patterns of migrant families for purposes of planning benefit and human resources practices. A new report published by the Texas Department of State Health Services may shed some light on these issues. The Texas Department of State Health Services 2007 Health Risk Factors in the Texas-Mexico Border report presents a summary of health-related risk factors and trends among residents of fifteen Texas counties along the US-Mexico border. Its findings are based on data collected through the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a nation-wide telephone-based survey of randomly-selected adults that gathers information on many conditions and behaviors known to influence personal health. Data from the fifteen counties were clustered into five areas: the Lower Rio Grande Valley – commonly known as ‘The Valley’ – (Hidalgo, Starr, and Cameron Counties), Webb and Zapata Counties, Val Verde and Maverick Counties, the Big Bend area (Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, and Terrell Counties), and El Paso County. For the purposes of this analysis, “the border” refers to these five areas. Interested persons can review this report here.

About The Author

Past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Section and currently the Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) RPTE Employee Benefits & Other Compensation Section and a Council Representative of the ABA Joint Committee On Employee Benefits, Ms. Stamer has more than 20 years experience advising health industry and other clients about labor and employment, health and other employee benefits, public policy and other health care and workforce matters. A primary drafter of the Bolivian Social Security Privatization law, Ms. Stamer also frequently provides input domestically and internationally on workforce, health care, migration and other policies. A popular lecturer and widely published author on these and other matters, she frequently writes and speaks about health and workforce issues of special populations including migrant workers, ex pats, and others.  Her insights on health care, health insurance, human resources and related matters appear in the Atlantic Information Service, Bureau of National Affairs, World At Work, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insurance, the Dallas Morning News, Managed Healthcare, Health Leaders, and a many other national and local publications.  For additional information about Ms. Stamer, her experience, involvements, programs or publications, see here.  

Other Helpful Resources & Other Information

If you found these updates of interest, you also be interested in one or more of the following other recent articles published on our electronic Curran Tomko Tarski LLP publications available for review here. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information – including your preferred e-mail- by creating or updating your profile at here. You can access other recent updates and other informative publications and resources provided by Curran Tomko Tarski LLP attorneys and get information about its attorneys’ experience, briefings, speeches and other credentials here. For important information concerning this communication click here. If you do not wish to receive these updates in the future, send an e-mail with the word “Remove” in the Subject to support@cttlegal.net.

©2009 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. All rights reserved.

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Posted by Cynthia Marcotte Stamer

Speak Up America: Where & How To Read & Share Your Feedback About The Health Care Reform Legislation

August 1, 2009

As the health care reform policy debate continues, Americans increasingly are asking where to read the text of the health care reform legislation that members of Congress are debating and how to share their input. 

 While numerous alternatives presently are pending before Congress, much of recent discussion and debate has focused around one of the following bills:

  • H.R. 3200: America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009,  introduced in the House by Rep Dingell, John D. on July 14, 2009  the text of which as originally introduced may be reviewed  here.  It has been the focus of significant mark up negotiation through out July before the following House Energy and Commerce, House Ways & Means, and House Education & Labor Committees; and
  • S. __, the Affordable Health Choices Act approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the text of which as approved may be reviewed here.

When reviewing these bills, Americans should keep in mind that members of Congress are engaged in ongoing negotiations about the specific provisions and language of these bills, as well as other legislation.  Official developments generally may be monitored here.

Many American businesses and individuals also are asking about how and where to share their views, how to organize others to do the same and other questions about getting the word out. Here a some quick ideas. We encourage others to share. 

  • The Coalition For Patient Empowerment and the Coalition for Responsible Health Care Reform linkedin group are two one of many resources where individuals are sharing information about these matters. 
  • Concerned individuals should share their views both by faxing, e-mailing or telephoning key decisionmakers in Congress, as well as joining and participating in activities of other individuals and groups that share their concerns.  Contact and get involved with this and other groups that share your concerns.
  • Contact the offices of your Congressional representatives in the House and Senate as well as other members of Congress that support your views and ask them about other groups and ways that you can share your views. They will welcome your input and involvement.
  •  If you are aware of or involved in a group that shares your views, we encourage you to share it on the Coalition for Responsible Health Care Reform linkedin group.  If you or others are planning a town hall or other health care reform meeting, use this or other linked in groups to spread the word.
  • If you are interested in volunteering to plan events in your region, let us know.   

We also encourage you and others to join the discussion about these and other health care reform proposals and concerns by joining the Coalition for Responsible Health Care Reform Group on Linkedin, and registering to receive these updates here.

When communicating, consider targeting your messages to members of Congress whose votes are likely to be impacted by your communications. 

For instance, with both the House and Senate in the majority in Congress, Democrats generally have greater control over what legislation moves forward.  The Democratic Leadership of the House and Sentate generally can get legislation passed by their members as long as they can maintain consensus among the members of their parties.  In connection with the health care reform proposals, however, cost and other considerations have made maintaining a consensus more difficult than on other legislation.  Certain fiscally moderate members of the Democratic Party have expressed concern about the expense and other aspects of their Leadership proposed health care reform proposals.  These Democrats in Congress generally the members of Congress whose votes are most likely to be impacted by public input and feedback generally and from voters in their districts and contributors specifically. 

In the House of Representatives, these members likely are the “Blue Dog Democrats.”  Read about Blue Dog Democrats here.    

The fiscal conservatism of Blue Dog Democrats makes them more likely to listen to concerns about the cost and other concerns relating to the health care reform bills touted by the Democrat Leadership in the House and Senate.  In fact, many Blue Dog Democrats already are speaking out about their concerns about the cost and other aspects of the Bill. 

Contact from voters and contributors in their districts and others could make a major difference in the ability that the House Democrat Leadership needs to pass their Bill.  Immediately contacting these members and getting others – particularly voters and contributors in the districts that elect these members – is one of the most important steps that concerned Americans can do to position their concerns to be heard.   

For most concerned voters, telephone or fax contact is the best means to convey these messages.  To minimize spam, most members only accept e-mail submitted through their website links.  Security concerns can delay receipt of written correspondence for weeks.

For persons interested in making their voices heard and sharing information with others who wish to do the same, the following contact information may be of interest:

The number of the Capital Switchboard is 202-224-3121.

The Blue Dog Leadership Team and there telephone and fax numbers are:

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration, Telephone: 202.225.2801 , Fax: 202.225.5823

Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy,Telephone: 202-225-4031, Fax: (202) 226-6866

Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications, Telephone: 202-225-4031, Fax: (202) 226-3944

Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip, Telephone:  202-225-6401, Fax: (202) 226-6422

The Blue Dog Members and their telephone numbers are :

  • Altmire, Jason (PA-04),(202)225-2565
  • Arcuri, Mike (NY-24), (202)225-3665
  • Baca, Joe (CA-43),(202)225-6161
  • Barrow, John (GA-12), (202) 225-2823
  • Berry, Marion (AR-01), (202) 225-4076
  • Bishop, Sanford (GA-02), (202) 225-3631
  • Boren, Dan (OK-02), (202) 225-2701
  • Boswell, Leonard (IA-03), (202) 225-3806
  • Boyd, Allen (FL-02), (202) 225-5235
  • Bright, Bobby (AL-02), (202) 225-2901
  • Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18), (202) 225-6131
  • Carney, Christopher (PA-10), (202) 225-3731
  • Chandler, Ben (KY-06), (202) 225-4706
  • Childers, Travis (MS-01), (202) 225-4306
  • Cooper, Jim  (TN 5th), (202) 225-4311
  • Costa, Jim  (CA 20th), (202) 225-3341
  • Cuellar, Henry  (TX 28th), (202)  225-1640
  • Dahlkemper, Kathleen A. (PA 3rd), (202) 225-5406
  • Davis, Lincoln (TN 4th),(202) 225-6831
  • Donnelly, Joe  (IN 2nd), (202) 225-3915
  • Ellsworth, Brad  (IN 8th), (202) 225-4636
  • Giffords, Gabrielle  (AZ 8th), (202) 225-2542
  • Gordon, Bart  (TN 6th), (202) 225-4231
  • Griffith, Parker  (AL 5th), (202) 225-4801
  • Harman, Jane  (CA 36th), (202) 225-8220
  • Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie  (SD At Large), (202) 225-2801
  • Hill, Baron P.  (IN 9th), (202) 225-5315
  • Holden, Tim  (PA 17th), (202) 225-5546
  • Kratovil, Frank Jr. (MD 1st), (202) 225-5311
  • McIntyre, Mike  (NC 7th), (202) 225-2731
  • Marshall, Jim  (GA 8th), (202) 225-6531
  • Matheson, Jim  (UT 2nd), (202) 225-3011
  • Melancon, Charlie  (LA 3rd), (202) 225-4031
  • Michaud, Michael H. (ME 2nd), (202) 225-6306
  • Minnick, Walt  (ID 1st), (202) 225-6611
  • Mitchell, Harry E.  (AZ 5th), (202) 225-2190
  • Moore, Dennis  (KS 3rd), (202) 225-2865
  • Murphy, Patrick J.  (PA 8th), (202) 225-4276
  • Nye, Glenn C.  (VA 2nd), (202) 225-4215
  • Peterson, Collin C.  (MN 7th), (202) 225-2165
  • Pomeroy, Earl  (ND At Large), (202) 225-2611
  • Ross, Mike  (AR 4th), (202)  225-3772
  • Salazar, John T.  (CO 3rd), (202) 225-4761
  • Sanchez, Loretta  (CA 47th), (202) 225-2965
  • Schiff, Adam B.  (CA 29th), (202) 225-4176
  • Scott, David  (GA 13th), (202) 225-2939
  • Shuler, Heath  (NC 11th), (202) 225-6401
  • Space, Zachary T. (OH 18th), (202) 225-6265
  • Tanner, John S.  (TN 8th), (202) 225-4714
  • Taylor, Gene  (MS 4th), (202) 225-5772
  • Thompson, Mike  (CA 1st), (202) 225-3311
  • Wilson, Charles (OH-06), (202) 225-5705

You and others also are invited to join the discussion about these and other health care reform proposals and concerns by:

  • Joining the Coalition for Responsible Health Care Reform Group on Linkedin and registering to receive these updates here; and
  • E-mailing Cstamer@cttlegal.com to participate in the Coalition for Patient Empowerment.

Curran Tomko Tarski LLP Can Help

If your business needs assistance monitoring or providing input on health care reform or other human resources, employee benefit or compensation legislation or regulations, or auditing, updating or defending its health or other employee benefit, human resources, or compensation arrangements, or responding to employee benefits, employment or compensation related charges or suits, please contact Ms. Stamer at cstamer@cttlegal.com, (214) 270-2402; or your favorite Curran Tomko Tarski, LLP attorney.  For additional information about the experience and services of Ms. Stamer and other members of the Curran Tomko Tarksi, LLP team, see here.

The author of this article, Curran Tomko Tarski LLP Labor & Employment Practice Group Chair Cynthia Marcotte Stamer and other members of Curran Tomko and Tarski LLP are experienced with assisting employer and employee benefit plan sponsors, administrators and others about labor and employment, compensation and employee benefit compliance and risk management concerns, as well as advising and defending these and other clients in labor and employment, compensation, and employee benefit related audits, investigations and litigation, charges, audits, claims and investigations.  

Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Chair of the ABA RPTE Employee Benefit Plans and Other Compensation Group, a member of the ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits, and past Chair of the ABA Health Law Section Managed Care & Insurance Interest Group, Ms. Stamer has extensive experience with health and retirement, work force and other employee benefit and employment matters.  She is nationally and internationally known for her innovative work with employers, associations, churches, insurers and others to develop health benefit, onsight medical, wellness and other employee benefit and employment arrangements, as well as her involvement in health care, pension and other public policy advocacy.

More Information & Resources

You can review other recent human resources, employee benefits and internal controls publications and resources and additional information about the employment, employee benefits and other experience of Ms. Stamer here /the Curran Tomko Tarski LLP attorneys here. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information – including your preferred e-mail – by creating or updating your profile here or e-mailing this information to Cstamer@CTTLegal.com or registering to participate in the distribution of these and other updates on our Solutions Law Press HR & Benefits Update distributions here. For important information concerning this communication click here.    If you do not wish to receive these updates in the future, send an e-mail with the word “Remove” in the Subject to support@SolutionsLawyer.net.

©2009 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. All rights reserved.

Comments Off on Speak Up America: Where & How To Read & Share Your Feedback About The Health Care Reform Legislation | Employee Benefits, Employers, Employment Tax, ERISA, Health Care Reform, Health Plans, Human Resources, Immigration, Income Tax, Insurance, Malpractice, Preemption, Professional Liability, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Cynthia Marcotte Stamer

September 8, 2009 New Deadline For Government Contractors, Subcontractors Deadline To Use E-Verify

June 9, 2009

September 8 now is the deadline for federal government contractors and subcontractors to begin using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) E-Verify system to verify the eligibility of employees to work in the United States. 

The Obama Administration recently delayed implementation of the final rule requiring federal contractors and subcontractors to use E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the U.S. The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (collectively known as the Federal Acquisitions Regulatory Councils) published an amendment in the Federal Register on June 5, 2009, postponing the applicability of the final rule until Sept. 8, 2009. 

As originally published November 14, 2008, the final rule requiring that federal government contractors and subcontractors agree to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their employees went into effect January 19, 2009.  However, the compliance deadline was delayed in January and again in April, 2009 by the Obama Administration.  Prior to the delay granted this month, the deadline to begin using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) E-Verify system was delayed to June 30, 2009.

Curran Tomko Tarski LLP Labor & Employment Practice Group Chair Cynthia Marcotte Stamer and other members of Curran Tomko and Tarski LLP are experienced with advising and assisting employers and others to respond to proposed legislation and regulations and addressing other leave and other labor and employment, employee benefit, compensation, and internal controls concerns. If your organization needs assistance with assessing or responding to H.R. 2450 or assistance with leave and absence management or other labor and employment, compensation or benefit concerns or regulations, please contact Ms. Stamer at cstamer@cttlegal.com, (214) 270-2402; or your favorite Curran Tomko Tarski, LLP attorney.  For additional information about the experience and services of Ms. Stamer and other members of the Curran Tomko Tarksi, LLP team, see here.

Other Information & Resources

You can review other recent human resources, employee benefits and internal controls publications and resources and additional information about the employment, employee benefits and other experience of the Curran Tomko Tarski LLP attorneys at here. If you or someone else you know would like to receive future updates about developments on these and other concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information – including your preferred e-mail – by creating or updating your profile here or e-mailing this information to Cstamer@CTTLegal.com or registering to participate in the distribution of these and other updates on our HR & Employee Benefits Update distributions here. Also stay abreast of emerging internal controls and compliance challenges by registering for our Corporate Compliance, Risk Management & Internal Controls distributions. For important information concerning this communication click here.    If you do not wish to receive these updates in the future, send an e-mail with the word “Remove” in the Subject to support@SolutionsLawyer.net. 

©2009 Cynthia Marcotte Stamer. All rights reserved.

Comments Off on September 8, 2009 New Deadline For Government Contractors, Subcontractors Deadline To Use E-Verify | Corporate Compliance, E-Verify, Employee Benefits, Employment Agreement, Government Contractors, Human Resources, I-9, Immigration, Internal Controls, Public Policy, Risk Management | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Cynthia Marcotte Stamer

Employers Must Begin using New I-9 Form April 3, 2009; Government Contractor E-Verify Rules Take Effect May 21, 2009

April 2, 2009

 

U.S. employers must begin using the revised U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment Eligibility Verification Form known as the I-9 (Form I-9) on April 3, 2009.  Meanwhile, certain federal contractors and subcontractors also must prepare to comply with impending requirements to use USCIS E-Verify when hiring employees scheduled to take effect May 21, 2009.

New Form I-9

The use of the new Form I-9 is required under an interim rule published by USCIS in December 2008.  The interim rule also changes the types of acceptable identity and employment authorization documents employers can accept from new hires and prohibits employees from using expired identification documents to verify their work eligibility beginning April 3, 2009.  Employers will be required to use the new Form I-9 and to secure documentation of proof of eligibility to work in accordance with the revised rules contained in the interim rule for all new hires and to reverify any employee with expiring employment authorization in accordance with the interim regulations beginning on April 3, 2009.

Employers can download a copy of the new Form I-9 at http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-9_IFR_02-02-09.pdf. The interim regulations are available for review at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-29874.htm.  USCIS presently is updating the Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing the Form I-9 (M-274). 

The new Form I-9 replaces the June 5, 2007 edition of the Form I-9 (the Old Form I-9), which will not be valid for use after April 2, 2009.  A big change in the new Form I-9 requirements is that expired documents cannot be accepted as proof of eligibility to work. All documents presented during the Form I-9 completion process now must be unexpired.  The new Form I-9 and interim regulations also add and remove certain documents to the list of documents that employers can accept of proof of identity and/or eligibility to work in the U.S.

The interim rule originally was scheduled to take effect on Feb. 2, 2009.  The Obama Administration extended the effective date to April 3, 2009 under a directive issued in January.

Federal Contractor  E-Verify Rule Scheduled To Take Effect May 21, 2009

Certain federal contractors and subcontractors also need to prepare to comply with a new federal rule that will require them to use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of new hires scheduled to take effect May 21, 2009.  The rule will only affect federal contractors who are awarded a new contract after May 21st that includes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause.  Federal contractors may NOT use E-Verify to verify current employees until the rule becomes effective and they are awarded a contract that includes the FAR E-Verify Clause. 

The new rule implements Executive Order 12989, as amended by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2008, directing federal agencies to require that federal contractors agree to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their employees.   The amended Executive Order reinforces the policy, first announced in 1996, that the federal government does business with companies that have a legal workforce. This new rule requires federal contractors to agree, through language inserted into their federal contracts, to use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all persons hired during a contract term, and to confirm the employment eligibility of federal contractors’ current employees who perform contract services for the federal government within the United States.

Interested persons can review the final regulation and read frequently asked questions about this new rule on the internet at the following cites:

ü      Final Regulation at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-26904.htm

ü      Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=cb2a535e0869d110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

If you have questions or concerns about the matters discussed in this publication or other human resources, employee benefits or compensation matters, wish to obtain information about arranging for training or presentations by Ms. Stamer, wish to suggest a topic for a future program or publication, or wish to request other information or materials, please contact Ms. Stamer via telephone at (214) 270-2402 or via e-mail to Cstamer@Solutionslawyer.net. .

 

More Information

We hope that this information is useful to you. You can register to receive future updates and information about upcoming programs, access other publications by Ms. Stamer and other helpful resources or additional information about Ms. Stamer at CynthiaStamer.com or by contacting Ms. Stamer directly. If you or someone else you know would like to receive updates about developments on these and other human resources and employee benefits concerns, please be sure that we have your current contact information – including your preferred e-mail- by creating or updating your profile at CynthiaStamer.com.   You also can register to participate in the distribution of these updates by registering to participate in the Solutions Law Press HR & Benefits Update Blog at https://slphrbenefitsupdate.wordpress.com.

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Posted by Cynthia Marcotte Stamer

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