As reported in Governing, some governments may turn to health exchanges to reduce their retiree health benefit costs. Even after addressing pension issues, retiree health benefits are a trillion-dollar problem that state and local governments must solve.

The exchanges could help solve this problem in a remarkably simple way: by offering state and local retirees an alternative way of receiving health coverage until they qualify for Medicare, relieving their former employers of the need to provide post-employment benefits. The online marketplaces would allow retirees to shop for affordable plans and access federal tax subsidies to pay for them. As retirees with a limited income, many would likely be eligible.

MACo’s Summer Conference will feature a presentation on county government compliance with the Affordable Care Act.  Time for a Check-up? County Compliance with the Affordable Care Act will feature Kelly Knight, Esq., Assistant Vice President, Compliance Services, Benecon Group. The Benecon Group specializes in developing innovative and effective employee benefit solutions with the goal of helping employers effectively control benefit plan expenditures and design programs that meet the strategic needs of the employer and the personal needs of the employees.

Ms. Knight joined The Benecon Group in January 2011 after ten years of practicing law in the private sector. She obtained her law degree from The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University and completed her undergraduate degree at Lycoming College. In 2010, Ms. Knight was named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star, which is awarded to attorneys under the age of 40 and to no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state.

The session will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2013; 3:00 pm-4:00 pm.  Registration is now open.

For more information, read the full story from Governing.