NEWS ADVISORY

January 27, 2010
PR-10/02
For additional information:
Jason Hammersla
202-289-6700

Council available to comment:

Obama State of the Union address expected to address health care reform bill, retirement savings initiatives

WHO:	James A. Klein, president, American Benefits Council Lynn Dudley, senior vice president, American Benefits Council
WHAT:	President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Wednesday, January 27, is expected to reveal the federal government’s path forward on the health care reform legislation currently stalled in Congress. The Council’s most recent priority issues document, issued after House of Representatives and Senate approval of their respective measures, continues to represent the key areas of concern for employer health care plan sponsors. The president is also expected to discuss his retirement savings proposals, previewed this week as part of the “Supporting Middle Class Families” initiative. The president’s proposals — establishing automatic enrollment in individual retirement accounts, expanding the Saver’s Credit and updating 401(k) plan regulations — are designed to encourage savings but may have serious implications for employers who already sponsor these programs for their workers. American Benefits Council staff will be available to comment on employee benefits issues related to the President’s remarks before and after the speech.
WHERE:	Interviews may be conducted via phone, e-mail or in person at the Council offices at 1501 M Street, Suite 600, Washington DC.
WHEN:	Any time following receipt of this advisory, including during and following the State of the Union address. Council office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. At other times, please see the contact information below.
CONTACT:	For interviews with Council staff following President Obama’s message, please contact Jason Hammersla, Council director, communications, at (202) 253-5458. You may also reach Council staff directly: James A. Klein, (202) 494-4300 Lynn Dudley, (703) 615-1990 For other queries, or to schedule an interview during business hours, contact Hammersla at jhammersla@abcstaff.org or by phone at 202-422-4652.

The American Benefits Council is the national trade association for companies concerned about federal legislation and regulations affecting all aspects of the employee benefits system. The Council's members represent the entire spectrum of the private employee benefits community and either sponsor directly or administer retirement and health plans covering more than 100 million Americans.