Obamacare: New rule may remove reinsurance fee for unions

A provision in Obamacare would collect a fee from health insurance companies and third-party administrators (TPAs) of administrative services only (ASO a.k.a. self-insured) group health plans, to fund a reinsurance program to help “stabilize” premiums available through the exchanges. A significant number of unions are self-insured. Unions were pissed they had to pay this fee…

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A funny thing happened to union membership in Wisconsin

Republican Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin was able to obtain the passage of new laws dealing with public sector unions in Wisconsin.  Their employees now actually have to shoulder the burden of paying something close to the value of their health insurance coverage and their future pension costs.  But, there was another interesting provision of…

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Why jobs leave this country…or return

On Friday, Caterpillar announced the closing of a locomotive plant in Ontario, Canada.  The plant had been the site of a weeks long lockout over wages and benefits.  To remain competitive with the likes of General Electric, Caterpillar wanted concessions, but the Canadian Auto Workers union refused.

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