New Webinar Analyzes Health Reform and Policy Challenges That Will Impact Use of...

New Webinar Analyzes Health Reform and Policy Challenges That Will Impact Use
of Incentives in Worksite Wellness Programs

Webinar features health and regulatory policy expertNandan Kenkeremath and
Katherine H. Capps, president of Health2 Resources

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The summer's heated exchanges
about health care reform shed little light on reform proposals that could
affect employer-sponsored health and wellness programs. A Sept. 29 Webinar
from Health2 Resources will analyze how employers are using incentives and
programs to improve employee health, and will delve into questions
employers/purchasers and health benefit professionals are asking about how
these programs will be affected by upcoming policy and regulatory changes.

Among President Barack Obama's eight principles for health care reform is
"investment in health and wellness programs," and proposals from both the
House and Senate include measures to encourage more employers to offer
voluntary wellness programs. Positive lifestyle changes have been proven to
help employees become healthier and more productive, and work-based programs
to improve employee health have also been shown to lower overall health care
costs.

The Webinar, "Change on the Horizon: Worksite Health and Wellness Programs --
Reform, Regulations and Reality," is sponsored by Health2 Resources. The
Vienna, VA-based health care communications and research firm recently
released the results of its third annual survey on the use of incentives in
corporate wellness programs, How employers use incentives to keep
employeeshealthy: Perks, programs and peers. The in-depth survey of small,
medium and large employers will inform analysis by Webinar speaker Katherine
H. Capps, president of Health2 Resources.

Nandan Kenkeremath, president of Leading Edge Policy & Strategy, LLC, will
offer insight into the national policy and regulatory landscape during the
Webinar. Kenkeremath served 17 years as senior counsel on the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce focusing on health care. His work focuses on current
activities in comparative effectiveness research, innovative health care
payment policy models, health care reform, employer-sponsored health plans,
and policy changes that are coming through implementation of the stimulus
legislation.

"Nearly two-thirds of employers have implemented programs designed to improve
employee health and productivity. These programs are the models policy makers
are looking to as they craft broad-based initiatives to extend worksite
prevention and wellness," Capps said. "Employers want to know how current
limits on the incentives they can offer may change, or how their freedom to
innovate in this space may be restricted if the federal government takes a
more active role."

The Webinar will address issues and trends surrounding incentive use in
worksite health and disease management programs, the status of proposed reform
legislation, the regulatory landscape and how health-related research may
impact worksite wellness programs. Discussion will shed light on innovative
ways employers use incentives to lead employees to better health habits. For
more information, go to
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs067/1101292888704/archive/1102705058633.html.

The Webinar is set for Sept. 29, 2009 from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT. For more
information or to register, go to
https://www.elbowspace.com/servlets/cfd?xr4=&formts=2009-09-11%2012:35:47.392135.
To access the complete Health2 Resources survey report, go to
www.health2resources.com/surveys_publications.html.

About Health2 Resources

Founded in 1998, Health2 Resources is a full-service communication agency that
exclusively serves health care clients throughout the U.S. by offering a full
range of research and public relations support. It works closely with local,
state and federal policymakers and regulatory agencies to build and improve
relationships on behalf of a mix of clients that buy health care, pay for
health care, provide health care and evaluate health care. Visit Health2
Resources at http://www.health2resources.com.

SOURCE Health2 Resources

Karla Hurter of Health2 Resources, +1-703-319-0957,
khurter@health2resources.com