CWCG’s 2012 Benefits Briefing

Columbia-Willamette Compensation Group is pleased to present a timely presentation to help you getting started on strategic planning for Healthcare Reform.  Join us for an informative morning of learning and networking. 

Healthcare Reform: Are you prepared? Do you have a strategy in place?

Access to Healthcare:  Patching leaks or changing vessels?  

January 1, 2014 is a big day for every employer in the U.S.  It represents the day that we all move from a more collective employer-based healthcare decision-making process to one that is decidedly more individual.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is intended to provide health insurance to all U.S. citizens commencing in 2014; however, the process to accomplish that goal is rife with conflict and constantly changing.   

We will look at where we are now as a nation in terms of access to healthcare, outcomes, cost and utilization.   With that data as a starting point, we will then discuss key considerations as all employers – large and small – make decisions to comply or not comply with parts of the ACA.  This discussion goes beyond wellness, cost sharing and data-mining; it goes into the realm of what is the right thing to do for your own employees, your company, your long-term financial stability and your ability to attract and retain critical talent.  

“In a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.” -Warren Buffett

PRESENTER:  Deborah Tompkins CLU                     

As the principal and founder of Tompkins Consulting Companies, Deborah consults with small to mid-size employers and non-profit organizations as they strive to maintain affordable, long-term access to healthcare.  Through Tompkins Benefit Group, she actively works designing, implementing and managing cost-effective employee benefit plans with an eye for recruitment and retention strategies and long-range affordability. With 30 years of experience, she provides clients with invaluable perspectives having worked within large corporations but running her own small business - meeting the future with an understanding of the past.

Deborah has been a featured speaker on employee benefits topics for regional business conferences, a frequent guest speaker to the Non-Profit Fiscal Managers and Executive Directors Networks for Technical Assistance for Community Service (TACS) in Oregon, and has taught finance classes through Portland Community College for the employees of OECO, Columbia Sportswear and the Bonneville Power Administration. She authored the insurance chapter for Oregon Women and the Law, published by the Oregon Commission for Women. For 6 years she taught the Advanced Benefits course through Portland State University’s Professional Development Center for students desiring to achieve the HR certification from PSU.

Deborah has participated on advisory councils for a variety of Oregon insurers - Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon, Kaiser Permanente, Pacificsource, Pacificare, PACC, and Lifewise. She has been a repeat guest on the Weekend Business Coach, 1410 AM, and she has been a technical information source to the Wall Street Journal, the Portland Business Journal and the Bend Chamber of Commerce Business Journal, addressing employee benefit and human resources issues. There have been feature articles published in National Business Insurance magazine along with several HR trade publications and the Society of Human Resources online magazine.

Currently Deborah participates on the Advocacy Board for North by Northeast Community Health Center supporting the clinic's efforts to provide access to healthcare and reducing health disparities so prevalent in our communities.

Deborah received her undergraduate degree with high honors in nutrition and community education from Washington State University and obtained her Chartered Life Underwriter designation from the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.