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STUDIES
 The Medical Savings Account Program Model For Employers Effective communication planning begins with initial plan design. The employer should develop a high-level model of the existing benefits plan and compare it with MSA Program features. Goals and benefits of the plan for employees and the company must be discussed early and in a full, open manner. Communicating with employees and their families about the MSA Program should be ongoing. Communications programs should be maintained to keep everyone informed of MSA program development, offerings, relationship to compensation, and benefits objectives. The idea is to keep everyone informed as to how the new benefits plan is working and whether the plan is attaining the desired goals of employees and the company. Just as employees receive regular payroll statements about current and historical amounts of their pay and fringe benefits, they should also receive regular and accurate Medical Savings Account statements. This must be designed to encourage employees to read the statements and act on the information. Employee MSA statements should tell how much went into the account, what has been used and when, and the remaining balance. The statements provide an opportunity to send a positive message about careful utilization of health care. For example, inserts by fellow employees about the results of careful shopping can be effective. "Employees and family members should be asked about their experiences and satisfaction with MSA benefits. Their views about plan improvements and modifications can be invaluable." These MSA statements may include health promotion and education information. Timely reminders have proven useful to notify employees about upcoming annual influenza shots and preventive health services. Certain employees may be notified about an upcoming Health Risk Appraisal or the need to get a scheduled medical compliance examination. Progress reports about changes in employee smoking habits may be used in this fashion. There are many opportunities to use communication effectively in conjunction with MSA statements.
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1 Part Honesty; 2 Parts Arrogance At a March 23, 2005, House Appropriations hearing on a bill to gut the voter-approved I-601 spending limit, Rep. Jim McIntire (D) asked a supporter of I-601’s two-third supermajority requirement for the legislature to raise taxes the following question: "Can you name a time when we [legislators] have actually not just set it [supermajority requirement] aside by majority vote? I mean, this is in many respects a procedural motion that has no bearing. It’s a statutory constraint that cannot constrain any legislature that chooses as a majority to set it aside . . . have we ever used a supermajority [to raise taxes]?" - Rep. Jim McIntire (D - 46) Despite the arrogance of some state officials, Washington's constitution is clear: "All political power is inherent in the people..." |
