Author: Larry Chapman This 30 page document provides a quick and efficient look at key issues in program evaluation of worksite wellness and health promotion programs.  It includes discussion of a number of key issues and is a helpful reference in establishing your own approach to program evaluation.  The table of contents includes: PURPOSE, SCOPE… Continue Reading ›

Author: Larry Chapman This edition of Connections contains a brief summary of the findings from 15+ research studies on the effectiveness of text messaging (‘SMS’) in assisting with health behavior change.  ‘Mobile’ is old news. With mobile devices going from a curiosity to a virtual appendage for most workers in the 10 years since the launch of the… Continue Reading ›

When was the last time you had someone from IT help you solve a particularly annoying software problem? For me it was yesterday. Well, as you listened to the solution and if you didn’t write down the instructions or practice the fix several times, what is likely to happen the next time you run into… Continue Reading ›

ACA Title 1, Sec. 1563. Sense of the senate promoting fiscal responsibility: “Ugly” – No way is this Law going to reduce the federal deficit. This section is the explicit statement by Congressional sponsors of the expectation that the ACA will reduce the $17+ trillion federal deficit between 2010 and 2019 and improve the solvency of… Continue Reading ›

ACA Title 1, Sec. 1560. Rules of construction: “Good” – helps establish clarity in Law’s impact in four collateral areas.Lawmakers clarify here that no part of the ACA negates any of the antitrust laws, counters the ERISA exemption of the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act, prevent any institution of high education from offering student health… Continue Reading ›

ACA Title 1, Sec. 1559. Oversight: “Good” – General authorization of Inspector General’s role in ACA. This provision recognizes that the Inspector General of the DHHS has administrative oversight over the Department’s role in the administration and implementation of the Law. This is a general intention statement on the part of the Congress related to the… Continue Reading ›

ACA Title 1, Sec 1558. Protections for employees: “Good” – Provides general protection to employees. This provision provides general protection to employees that utilize either premium credits or subsidies under the ACA. This statutory provision prohibits employers from discharging an employee because of their use of these features of the ACA. Seems like a way to… Continue Reading ›

ACA Title 1, Sec 1557. Nondiscrimination: “Good” – a general prohibition against discrimination. This provision prohibits discriminatory actions under any aspect of the ACA and links to complaint and accountability provisions of civil rights, age, and disabilities discrimination laws. “Good” because it uses the existing federal administrative machinery to provide a recourse in the event of… Continue Reading ›

ACA Title 1, Sec. 1556. Equity for certain eligible survivors. “Good” – Provides continuity of coverage for those with “black lung” conditions associated with coal mining. This provision allows those grand fathered with “black lung” coverage to be included under the applicable provisions of the ACA. This appears to be a continuity of coverage provision extending… Continue Reading ›