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This article written by Cort Olsen for Benefits News discusses Met Life's 14^th Annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trend Study, which examines benefits trends in the public sector.

Jack Craver writes for Benefits Pro about a new report from the Society of Human Resource Management that displays the effect that rising healthcare costs has had on employers and employees.

Reed Abelson of The New York Times takes an alternate – and more positive – look at employee reactions to high deductible health plans (HDHPs).

Todd Renner writes for Mercer Signal about “a whole new ecosystem of health benefits” that support recruitment and retention of talented staff. High deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are noted as good options even for small businesses to consider.

In this article for MedCity News by Adam Schaefer, we look at the reality employers face when it comes to purchasing fully-funded group insurance (the standard group policy from an insurance carrier).

Loretta Metzger writes for Benefit News about the dramatic change in the healthcare benefits landscape in recent years. Costs are increasing exponentially, actual benefits are decreasing in quality, and employees are paying a greater share of premiums.

As open enrollment approaches, employees begin to turn to their employers, human resources advisors, and benefit advisors to understand the benefits being offered to them. Aldor Delp writes for Employee Benefit Advisor about the top questions employees ask brokers.

Rachel Emma Silverman of the Wall Street Journal examines the rise of high deductible health plans (HDHPs), and how in 2017 84% of large employers plan to offer an HDHP to employees (35% will only offer an HDHP as an option). The average deductible of an employee only plan is now approximately $1500.

Hank Gardner wrote this article for STAT, discussing recent research about the correlation between healthcare cost increases and slow wage growth, and how employers can carry out “their own do-it-yourself, market-based health care reform.”

Suzy K. Johnson recently wrote for Benefits News about the need for Chief Financial Officers and Human Resources managers to collaborate to create long-term strategic healthcare benefits plans.