EBS in the News 2006 Articles

• June 19, 2006: The increase in the cost of medical benefits paid by Houston-area employers has finally slowed, falling to a level not seen since 1999, according to a study released this week. EBS President Jim Watt comments on the trend.-
  Source: Houston Business Journal
  
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  http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2006/06/19/story5.html
  
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• June 15, 2006: The 11th Annual Healthcare Cost and Benefit Trends Survey says heathcare costs in Houston continue rising, but at a slower pace. EBS President Jim Watt says the survey results can be attributed to modifications in benefit levels costs that are just now showing up.
  Source: KUHF-88.7FM
  
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  http://www.kuhf.org/site/News2?page
   
• Spring 2006: EBS President, Jim Watt discusses why new players are entering the managed care market in Texas (p.3) and also gives his insights regarding United Healthcare's pilot program in Texas for capturing the insured population's unpaid medical bills (p.12).
  Source: HealthLeaders-Interstudy
  
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  Page 3
  Page 12

• February 17, 2006: Even as enrollment continued to drop, the profitability of Texas HMOs improved in 2004 and the first half of 2005, according to a study released this week. EBS President Jim Watt comments on the trend.
  Source: Houston Business Journal

  Click here for the full story:
  http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2006/02/20/story4.html

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• February 12, 2006: In his State of the Union address last month, President Bush revived his call for more Americans to open health savings accounts as a way of combating the nation's out-of-control medical costs. While the president's statements drew thunderous applause by many lawmakers, local employers for the most part seem far less convinced that the accounts - dubbed HSAs - are what the doctor ordered to cure the country's health finance ills. EBS Principal Brett Haugh comments on the trend.
  Source: Houston Chronicle

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  http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4059443
   

• January 26, 2006: The U.S. wage and benefits gap is widening as top-tier executive compensation soars, leaving lower-wage workers to fend for themselves amid higher fuel costs, mortgage payments and other inflationary pressures. EBS President Jim Watt comments on this growing concern in employment compensation trends.
  Source: EconoPlay
  
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