(Published June 22, 2009)

My husband just got back from two weeks in Washington, DC, making the political rounds. He told me that the hot-button item down there is health care reform, and we should be seeing a lot about it shortly.

Let me back up a bit. My state of Massachusetts is one of two where employers are required by state law to offer health insurance to its full-time employees, with full-time being defined as those who regularly work 35 hours a week. (The other state, Hawaii, has a different definition.) Indeed, Massachusetts residents are required by law to have health insurance. To assist those who do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance, or small business owners who cannot afford the premiums offered by independent health care insurers, a semi-public agency has been set up by the state to offer no- or low-cost insurance to those who qualify. The agency also determines who qualifies for this assistance.

Evidently, the most likely scenario that we will see on the national level is some variance on the Massachusetts plan. Although some would prefer simply tinkering with the existing set-up, it is more likely that some form of quasi-governmental agency will offer no- or low-cost care to individuals and business owners. Since the federal government will not have to make a profit, these plans will be more affordable than those offered by private insurance carriers. This, in turn, or so it is hoped, will force Blue Cross, et al., to reduce their premiums, making private insurance more affordable, as well.

I asked my husband whether or not employers would have access to the plans offered by the semi-public agency, the way they do in Massachusetts, since that would really provide competition to the health insurance industry. He said it would depend on how the final bill panned out, but that it seemed likely.

The reason I'm telling you about this now is that whatever bill the House and the Senate finally agree on is likely to be finalized this year, before we all go to open enrollment. And it's quite likely that President Obama will sign it.

We all know that just because Congress comes to an agreement on the bill doesn't mean that it will be effective this year. We may have another year or so on the old system while details are finalized and the quasi-governmental agency is set up and put into operation. Plans will have to be customized and established. But there is no getting around it; health care reform, for what it's worth, is coming and coming soon, whether we like it or not. Those of us in HR, and particularly those of us who manage benefits, will be the ones to put our employers into compliance with whatever law goes into effect, not to mention explaining it to our employees. Let's keep in touch with what's going on on Capitol Hill, so that we're prepared with answers when employees come asking.

Catherine Bannon is an HR consultant in Marshfield, MA (catherine.bannon@gmail.com). Bannon worked for 10 years in HR management before starting her consulting practice.