November 2010
Chamber News A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER DECATUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
An Employer’s Perspective on Health Care Reform The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and companion Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 changed the face of health care in our country. The PPACA was enacted in March, yet it still remains a mystery to many since it is a daunting task to read and digest this 2,400-page bill. Luckily, the United States and Illinois Chambers of Commerce have provided local Chambers with access to top-notch summaries of this historic legislation. While a noble effort, health care reform is not without its problems. The U.S. Chamber’s white paper notes, "What has been a voluntary and flexible system will now be a onesize-fits-some landscape." The Congressional Budget Office projects that by 2019 the number of Americans insured through individual and employer plans may decrease by 8 million as a result of health care reform. But, the CBO also estimates the overall number of insured will increase by 32 million due to expanded Medicaid and Medicare fee for services programs and the creation of health insurance exchanges and health insurance subsidies. These subsidized plans are projected to cost taxpayers an additional $940 billion over a 10-year period, financed in part by new taxes and fees. Despite the increase in covered individuals, health care coverage still will not be universal. An estimated 23 million Americans will remain uninsured even after the PPACA is fully implemented. Compliance cost concerns For many, health care reform is a "fine" program — employers may be fined if they don’t comply with the complex new laws and individuals may be fined if they don’t purchase coverage. Yet, health insurance is expected to become even more expensive under the reform plan, given the spiraling cost of medical care and a larger number of previously uninsured people now eligible for overdue medical care. Government estimates project the cost of health insurance premiums may raise as much as 13 percent by 2016. This puts employers in a Catch 22 situation since increased costs may make it more difficult for employers to offer affordable coverage. Given the current state of the economy, many employers may be forced to drop employee health coverage in an effort to stay competitive. Some employers may find it is more cost effective to pay fines for non-coverage rather than to pay the increased costs of carrying health insurance for employees. In a white paper on the PPACA, the U.S. Chamber provides a real-life example of this predicament. A
Pennsylvania waste transport company currently spends $600,000 to provide health care coverage to its 55 employees and their families. In one scenario, if the company drops its health care plan, the resulting fine would be just $50,000, resulting in an annual cost savings to the company of $550,000. Penalty particulars Beginning in 2014, most citizens and legal residents of the United States will be required to maintain health insurance that meets minimum coverage standards. This health insurance can be provided by an employee plan, a government-sponsored plan, or any plan recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Subsidies and tax credits will be available for certain lower-income taxpayers. Noncompliant individuals will be assessed a penalty in the form of an excise tax that will be collected by the IRS. This penalty will be phased in gradually from 2014 to 2016 and will be calculated on the greater of a flat fee or a percentage of the taxpayer’s household income. Starting in 2014, businesses that employed an average of 50 full-time employees during the previous calendar year must offer health coverage that meets minimum essential coverage requirements or face fines. There is an exception for firms with more than 50 employees that have no employees receiving a tax credit for health insurance. Employers with more than 50 employees that offer coverage and have even one employee take advantage of a tax subsidy or cost reduction benefit for health insurance, are penalized $3,000 per employee who received the tax
credit. Employers that do not offer coverage and have one employee receiving the tax credit in an exchange must pay $2,000 per full-time employee after exempting the first 30 full-time equivalents. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates employer noncompliance penalties will total $52 billion over 10 years. The government is offering small employer tax credits and grants to help offset the cost of compliance with PPACA. Beginning in this year, employers who have no more than 25 full-time employees and pay average wages of less than $50,000 are eligible for a tax credit if they cover at least 50 percent of the total health insurance premium costs for their employees. For tax years 2010–2013, the tax credit equals up to 35 percent of the employer’s premium cost based on the average premium contribution in the small-group market. Tax-exempt employers would receive up to a 25 percent credit. The full amount of the credit is available only to employers with 10 or fewer full-time employees and whose employees have average annual full-time equivalent wages of less than $25,000. Congress has appropriated $200 million for small employer grants for fiscal years 2011–2015. These grants will be awarded to eligible employers to provide employees with access to comprehensive workplace wellness programs. Eligible employers are those with fewer than 100 employees working 25 or more hours per week. The employers must not have provided a wellness program prior to March 23.
November 2010
Healthy Workplace Stroke Awareness Health care is no longer an individual concern. With the rising cost of health care benefits, keeping employees in the pink can help keep businesses out of the red. The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting a healthy business environment in Macon County. To this end, we provide our members with up-todate information on topics like taxes, legislation, and regulations that affect Illinois businesses. We also like to keep members and their employees informed about ways to promote wellness in the workplace. Last year, we provided a series of articles on the H1N1 virus and how to prevent the spread of this illness in close quarters. This year, we have teamed up with the Macon County Health Department to distribute information on stroke awareness. Macon County was awarded a grant to promote stroke awareness due to the area’s high stroke mortality rate. Macon County reports nearly 128 deaths from stroke per 100,000 residents. Over 28 percent of adult residents in the county also have high blood pressure, which puts them at greater risk of having a stroke. What is a stroke? In short, a stroke equates to brain death. When blood
flow to the brain is impeded by a clot or a blood vessel rupture, the brain cannot get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive, so it begins to die. Strokes are the thirdleading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability, yet many remain unaware of the warning signs of a stroke.
Association/American Stroke Association developed a campaign for stroke awareness. This campaign, titled "Give Me 5 for Stroke: Walk, Talk, Reach, See, and Feel," addresses all five warning symptoms. Give Me 5 encourages people to evaluate potential victims using the following five assessments:
How to recognize a stroke? In the past, many have used the acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) to identify and respond to suspected stroke victims. However, FAST fails to recognize two of stroke’s potential warning signs. Since a person experiencing a stroke may exhibit only one symptom, it is important to know all five stroke symptoms, which include:
1. Walk: Is their balance off? 2. Talk: Is their speech slurred or face droopy? 3. Reach: Is one side weak or numb? 4. See: Is their vision all or partly lost? 5. Feel: Is their headache severe?
1. Loss of balance 2. Slurred speech or facial droop 3. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body 4. Vision disturbances 5. Headache The Stroke Collaborative, a joint campaign of the American Academy of Neurology, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Heart
What to do if you suspect a stroke? If someone around you exhibits signs of a stroke, call 911! It is important to seek immediate medical attention, even if the person’s symptoms have subsided. For more information on stroke awareness, visit www.giveme5forstroke.org or call Brandi Binkley at the Macon County Health Department at 423-6988, ext. 1114. The health department has speakers available on the Give Me 5 program and can provide your business with bookmarks and magnets to remind employees of the warning signs of stroke.
CHAMBER MISSION STATEMENT
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Nov. 3 Chamber Business Breakfast 7 a.m., Decatur Club Hear from the winning candidates in the just-completed election for represent Macon County in the legislature. The Chamber Business Breakfast takes place the first Wednesday of each month and brings over 100 business professionals together for breakfast and the opportunity to learn about important community issues first-hand from informative and timely speakers. Bring plenty of business cards! Meet and learn who will take the stage to feature their products/services. Nov. 8 Chamber Ag Café 11 a.m. -1 p.m., Center for Sustainability and Innovation at Richland Community College Ag Café is a quarterly luncheon highlighting agribusiness. Wind energy is the topic of this quarter’s event, sponsored by Wind Today and Wood Printing. Nov. 23 58th annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon 11:30 a.m., Decatur Civic Center Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast while giving thanks for that which makes this community great at the 58th edition of this annual event hosted by the Chamber and Decatur area service clubs. Beth Stringer, publisher of Decatur Magazine, will deliver the annual Thanksgiving narrative. Tickets are $20. Call 422-2200.
NEW MEMBERS Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. Bronze Level Kit Paulin 2884 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL 62526 876-0649 www.benjaminfedwards.com
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Dec. 1 Business After Hours 5-8 p.m., Neuhoff Communications, 250 N. Water, Suite 100
DATE ❄
Dec. 1 Chamber Business Breakfast 7 a.m. Decatur Club
The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce is a pro-business network providing service, political advocacy, and leadership to strengthen education, community image, and local businesses.
January 5 Chamber Business Breakfast 7 a.m.
❄ CHRISTMAS HAPPENINGS ❄
MEET
the leaders and staff DIRECTORS Chairman ........................................Keith Casteel attorney, Samuels, Miller, Schroeder, Jackson & Sly Vice chairman ......................................Randy Earl vice president, Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Homes Second vice chairman ............................Kevin Kast chief executive officer, St. Mary’s Hospital Treasurer ........................................Erik Brechnitz senior vice president, Brechnitz Group of Raymond James & Associates
Nov. 20 Ceremonial Lighting of Downtown 5:15 p.m. Lighting of Central Park, 300 Block Park, 300 Block Christmas Tree, All of Downtown Businesses
Assistant secretary/treasurer ............Gretchen Murphy senior vice president, Soy Capital Bank & Trust
Jaycees’ 3rd annual Lights of Christmas Parade 5:30 p.m.
At-Large ......................................Darren Reynolds senior vice president and general manager, Consociate-Dansig
Santa’s Arrival in Central Park 7 p.m. For Santa’s Hours log on to decaturchamber.com Neuhoff Communications Passport to the North Pole Have your passport stamped while shopping downtown between Nov. 20 – Dec. 13 and be entered for your chance to win a $3,000 shopping spree. Toys for Tots. Today also marks the start of the annual collection of new and unwrapped toys to benefit needy children in Macon Donations are being accepted through Dec. 13. Go to www.decaturchamber.com or call 422-2200 for locations. Dec. 1 Downtown Christmas Walk 4:30-8 p.m. Downtown comes alive with this long-loved tradition. Enjoy late shopping hours, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa and delicious goodies. Dec. 9 and 16 Chamber Holiday Movie Night at the Avon Theatre 7 p.m. View showings of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” on Dec. 9 and “White Christmas” on Dec. 16.
Decatur Family Refuge, Inc. Silver Level Kathleen Taylor 543 N. Water St. Decatur, IL 62526 917-1828
Kuddles and Kare Pet Sitting Bronze Level Jackie Schoby Decatur, IL 433-3442
Harbor Light Hospice Silver Level Stacey Mutchler 23 N. Marion St. Suite N1 Forsyth, IL 62535 875-4395 www.harborlighthospice.com
Marc Vision Care, Ltd. Gold Level Marc C. Sarmiento 2705 N. Water, Unit C Decatur, IL 62526 875-7877
Secretary ....................................Mirinda Rothrock manager of community engagement, Archer Daniels Midland Co.
Interim president..........................Christine Pinckard Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Honorary past chairwoman ....................Beth Stringer publisher, Decatur Magazine
BOARD Wole Adeoye, owner, Victory Pharmacy of Decatur, Inc. Mark Avery, publisher, Grain Journal Gary Birschbach, owner, Decatur Area McDonald’s Carla Brinkoetter, president, Brinkoetter & Associates Phil Cochran, principle/owner, Cochran Engineering Gloria Davis, superintendent, Decatur School District Cindy Deadrick, owner, Shop on Main Patrick Dienslake, market president-Greater Illinois, Regions Bank J. Richard L. Dunsworth, vice president for enrollment, Millikin University Phil Hazenfield, partner, Homer L. Chastain & Associates Steve Horve Sr., president, Horve Builders Walt Hupe, general manager, Caterpillar, Inc. George Justice, manager-Division III, Ameren Robin King, CEO, EPL Bio-Analytical Services Dave Moran, general manager, Refreshment Services Pepsi Todd Nelson, publisher, Herald & Review Chris Olsen, director of community and government relations, Tate & Lyle Tom Pistorius, president, Bendsen Signs and Graphics, Inc. Ron Pulera, vice president and general manager, WAND-TV Gayle Saunders, president, Richland Community College Dave Weber, president, Macon-Shelby market, Busey Bank Craig Coil, president, Economic Development Corporation for Decatur and Macon County (ex officio member)
STAFF Christine Pinckard, IOM, interim president / senior vice president David D. Fishel Jr., director of marketing and communications Shellie Klink, director of operations and human resources Jan Mohr, audit and finance manager Karalee Misner, public and government affairs manager Michael Ammons, information technology coordinator Jessica Martin, events and meetings manager