Industry News: Incentive Federation To Host D.C. Symposium On Healthcare Incentives


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Industry News: Incentive Federation To Host D.C. Symposium On Healthcare Incentives

Issue: 2009oct

The Incentive Federation (IF) took its campaign to make employee incentives part of healthcare reform to Capitol Hill today, holding a symposium for members of Congress. The symposium stressed the contribution that wellness incentives can make when working to improve the health of the American workforce.

The symposium, titled “The Power of Incentives, Rewards and Recognition in Driving American Business and Creating a Healthier Workforce,” facilitated discussion between incentives industry representatives and key congressional staff about the role of incentives in workplace wellness programs. Also participating in today's events were PPAI lobbyist Robert Drummer and Kendra Kirks-McDougal, MAS, sales executive with Sterling, Illinois-based distributor HALO/Lee Wayne (UPIC: LEEWAYNE) and Regional Association Council board member.

Tom Miller, president of Colleyville, Texas-based distributor The Miller Co. (UPIC: MILL0006), says he was asked to participate in the forum after speaking at a conference luncheon in Chicago. Miller says his view of incentives comes from approaching clients from a people-centric, holistic view. “I believe people respond to opportunities to be recognized for the work that they do, and cash doesn’t always do that,” he says.

He adds that legislators don’t necessarily know or understand the value of workplace incentives, and that this symposium is “a great example of citizens going to Washington to make their voices heard.”

Other speakers include:

Michelle Smith, vice president, O.C. Tanner
Terry Markwart, director special account division, Canon U.S.A.
John Risberg, general counsel, Maritz
Michael Dermer, president/CEO, IncentOne
Lee Salazar, Targa Resources
Sean Roark, vice president, PromoPros
Stephen Maselko, vice president, MI Fulfillment Services (Marriott International)
David Peer, vice president, Hinda Incentives
Richard Blabolil, president, Marketing Innovators

The healthcare reform package currently before Congress provides a perfect opportunity to use incentives as a way to reduce costs and improve the quality of life, says Incentive Federation Executive Director George Delta.

“One of the best ways to encourage wellness incentives is to make them nontaxable to employees and deductible to employers,” says Delta. “The federation is supporting a measure allowing tangible personal property wellness awards valued at up to $400 for each employee that would be nontaxable to the employee and deductible to the employer.”

“Recent studies show a direct correlation between wellness incentive programs and improved health results. The symposium is aimed at increasing the knowledge and understanding of incentives among the staff responsible for healthcare reform,” he says.

After the symposium, IF staff and members plan to call on legislators to continue the dialogue and provide education on how incentives benefit American business.

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