ABOUT LACERA

INSURANCE, BENEFITS & LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES 7-9-09

PRESENT

• Simon S. Russin, Vice Chair
• Ed C. Morris
• James P. Harris, Alternate

ABSENT

• William de la Garza, Chair
• Edward L. Blecksmith

ALSO ATTENDING:

BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE

• Sadonya Antebi
• Yves Chery
• Les Robbins

STAFF, ADVISORS, PARTICIPANTS

• Lita Payne
• Mercer Human Resource Consulting
• Clay Levister

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Russin at 11:50 a.m.

1. APPOINTMENT OF VOTING MEMBER(S) IN THE EVENT ONE OR MORE REGULAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE ABSENT

   The Chair appointed Miss Antebi and Mr. Harris voting members of the Committee.

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 11, 2009

   A motion was made by Mr. Harris, seconded by Miss Antebi, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 11, 2009.

   The motion passed unanimously.

3. FOR INFORMATION
   1. Staff Activities Report for June, 2009

      The staff activities report was discussed.

   2. CIGNA & Anthem Blue Cross Claims Experience

      The CIGNA & Anthem Blue Cross Claims Experience reports through May, 2009 were discussed.

   3. GRIST Report: Health care reform activity heats up
   4. GRIST Report: Health reform debate speeds up as details emerge, employers voice concerns
   5. GRIST Report: Some health reform efforts hit snags, others moving forward

      Funding is still a major discussion point in the health care reform debate. Revenue or savings must be generated to pay for any comprehensive health care reform. Health care is now 17% of our gross domestic product. A key issue is whether to remove the tax advantage for group sponsored plans. Democrats are shying away from eliminating or reducing that tax advantage, based on feedback from their constituents. Another major issue is the inclusion of a public plan option to compete with the private market. Savings could be achieved by reductions in Medicare and Medicaid spending. Reimbursement would be performance based instead of fee-for-service, promoting quality in payment schedules, and moderating cost increases associated with fee schedules.

   6. Federal Legislation
      • Weekly Highlights – June 29, 2009
      • Weekly Highlights – June 22, 2009
      • Weekly Highlights – June 15, 2009
      • Weekly Highlights – June 8, 2009
      • Weekly Highlights – June 1, 2009
      Submitted for information only.
4. MISCELLANEOUS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
6. GOOD OF THE ORDER (For discussion purposes only)
7. ADJOURNMENT

The Board of Retirement has adopted a policy permitting any member of the Board to attend a standing committee meeting open to the public. In the event five or more members of the Board of Retirement (including members appointed to the Committee) are in attendance, the meeting shall constitute a joint meeting of the Committee and the Board of Retirement. Members of the Board of Retirement who are not members of the Committee may attend and participate in a meeting of a Board Committee but may not vote on any matter discussed at the meeting. The only action the Committee may take at the meeting is approval of a recommendation to take further action at a subsequent meeting of the Board.

Documents distributed to members of the Committee less than 72 hours prior to the meeting will be available for public inspection at LACERA at the time they are distributed to a majority of the Committee, provided the documents are subject to public disclosure and relate to an open session of the Committee. Such documents may be viewed Monday through Friday during normal 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. business hours. LACERA is located at 300 N. Lake Avenue, Suite 820, Pasadena, California.

Persons requiring an alternative format of this agenda pursuant to Section 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 may request one by calling Cynthia Guider at (626)-564-6000, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, but no later than 48 hours prior to the time the meeting is to commence. Assistive Listening Devices are available upon request. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters are available with at least three (3) business days notice before the meeting date.

8/13/09