HCW Benefits Blog

Contributor:
Laura Bibb, JD, Compliance Officer
Hill, Chesson & Woody

On September 20 and 21, Rob Krieg and I attended the DOL Speaks: 2010 Employee Benefits Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.  The conference provided an opportunity to discuss employee benefits issues with colleagues and local, regional and national government employees from the US Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services.

DOL Speaks had an excellent focus on healthcare reform.  It is not often that you get to “pick the brains” of government representatives and hear their thoughts on specific reform questions and hypothetical situations. Just a few of those government representatives included: 

• Phyllis C. Borzi, Assistant Secretary, US Department of Labor
• Michael L. Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of Labor
• Brenda B. Rickborn, Associate Regional Director, EBSA, US Department of Labor
• Kevin Knopf, US Department of Treasury
• Jim Mayhew, US Department of Health and Human Services

We were able to meet with these and other government representatives and gain valuable insight on topics such as healthcare reform provisions, Form 5500 compliance, and the Department’s audit enforcement priorities. The conference agenda was packed with great speakers. The information and knowledge we obtained from DOL Speaks will better assist HCW in preparing our clients for reform and welfare plan compliance.