AcademyHealth Stateside - 11/30/2006  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
 State Coverage Initiatives Winter Meeting to be Held in New Orleans
 Election Round Up: Governor’s Races and Ballot Initiatives
 Oregon Lays Groundwork for Universal Coverage Plan
 Utah Modifies Program to Help Uninsured Workers Participate in Employer-Sponsored Health Plans
 Maryland’s High Risk Insurance Pool Offers Income Subsidy Program
 Profiles in Coverage: Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage
 New Publication on ERISA Implications for State Coverage Strategies
 States Face SCHIP Federal Funding Shortfalls in Fiscal Year 2007
 America’s Health Insurance Plans Announces Vision for Universal Coverage
 New Issue Brief on Health Plan Benefit Design
 News from AcademyHealth
 Reports of Interest


New Publication on ERISA Implications for State Coverage Strategies

ERISA Implications for State Health Care Access Initiatives explores the implications of the recent federal court decision finding that ERISA preempts Maryland's "Fair Share Act." The paper discusses in detail:

  • ERISA preemption principles;
  • The Maryland law and RILA vs. Fielder court decision;
  • Implications for state health care access initiatives involving employers in financing; and
  • Arguments that may be raised to challenge and defend such state programs.

This publication, written by Patricia Butler, JD, DrPH, is part of a continuing series of policy papers on ERISA published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's State Coverage Initiatives program and the National Academy for State Health Policy.