July 2007 Program

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Registration: 11:30 a.m.
Networking: 11:30 a.m. - Noon
Lunch: Noon
Program immediately following lunch
“Consumerism in Health Care”
Presented by Ron Bargatze
Founding Principal, Dominion Benefits.

In recent years healthcare cost increases have significantly outpaced general inflation and continue to stress the budgets of employers and their employees too.   Consumer Driven Health Plans, with features such as Health Savings Accounts, is one emerging possible solution to the health cost spiral.

To understand what role consumerism can play in healthcare cost control, we must first understand why healthcare costs continue to escalate as well as what role benefit plan design has played.  We also need to focus on what impact an employer and its employees can have on healthcare inflation.  Once an understanding of consumerism is established then we can assess Consumer Driven Health Plans and products emerging in the marketplace as possible strategies for employers.
About our Speaker:

Ron Bargatze is a founding Principal of Dominion Benefits and is responsible for the firm’s strategic consulting services and business development initiatives. He is an expert in benefit risk management strategies and techniques. Ron was the Chief Operating Officer of Rocky Mountain BCBS, now Anthem. Ron was also Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Health Services Medical Specialty Division. Ron also held executive positions with Trigon (now Anthem) and was Executive Vice President leading to Trigon’s initial public offering in 1996. Ron has a broad range of corporate experience and led the financial turnaround of several businesses throughout his career.

Ron has a M.B.A. from the University of Richmond and a B.S. from the University of South Carolina. Ron and his wife Margaret have two children and four grandchildren.

Please make reservations by utilizing the on-line event reservation form or e-mailing Joy Hanson at jhanson@iamrrha.org.  Please include "RVSHRM RSVP" in the subject line. Registration deadline is Wednesday, July 18, 2007.

There will not be a President's Message in July.

The board did not meet in June.

HRM Certificate Program Begins in August

Mary Baldwin College will offer its HRM Certificate Program in Roanoke beginning on August 30, 2007. This popular 13-week course will meet once per week on Thursday nights from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at WDBJ/Channel 7’s Community Room. Dan Oyler will facilitate the preparation course for HR professionals interested in sitting for the PHR or SPHR exam. Participants will receive a certificate from the college and CEUs. For more information or to register, visit Mary Baldwin’s Web site at www.mbc.edu/learninc or call Dan Dowdy at 767-6173.

Matthew "Matt" Duffy has retired.

Matt served for many years as the Employment Specialist for the Refugee & Immigration Services in Roanoke, VA. Matt has been invaluable in providing assistance to RVSHRM members on issues dealing with immigration and documentation. Additionally, Matt has served as Historian for RVSHRM as well as a member of the Diversity Committee. Matt was recognized at the June meeting for his many years of contribution to RVSHRM and our community. We are all excited for Matt as he starts his next journey in life. Matt will truly be missed at our monthly meetings.

Mark Your Calendar

RVSHRM will have an "Ice Cream Social" on Friday, August 17. More details later.