Timber Bulletin Nov/Dec - Minnesota Forest Industries

of the Minnesota TimberProducers Association(TPA); andWhereas the timber sales that resultfrom this management are veryimportant to TPA members, theiremployees and the economies ofboth local communities and theentire state; andWhereas TPA has consistentlycommunicated these views to theDNR and the DNR has heard andacted upon them; andWhereas the DNR Division ofForestry has significantlyincreased timber sale volumes;now therefore be itResolved that the Board ofDirectors of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Associationcommends the DNR and the hardworking employees of the Divisionof Forestry for their greatlyincreased accomplishments; andbe it furtherResolved that the Board ofDirectors thanks the employeesof the Division of Forestry for theincreased workloads they havetaken on to sell and administerthese timber sales.TPA Sets New Coursefor Health InsuranceTPA has embarked on a newprogram for providing healthinsurance for members. TPA hasendorsed the Otis-Magie Agency’sproducts for health and relatedinsurance. The offerings willprovide both more options as wellas increased health coverage andlimits.The TPA/Otis-Magie program isled by Dan Zobel. Information hasbeen mailed to all TPA membersand informational meetings wereheld in International Falls andGrand Rapids. TPA membersinterested in the program shouldcontact Dan Zobel at 218-625-2121or 800-241-2425.In addition to health and relatedinsurance products, Otis-Magie canprovide TPA members with valueadded,cost-effective “cafeteria”benefit programs. These programscan provide important tax savingsfor TPA members and theiremployees.“We’re very pleased with thisnew program,” said TPA PresidentClarence Johnson. “The insuranceworld has changed and we’rechanging with it in order to offerproducts and services that benefitour members.”This new program was initiatedafter a decision was made by theTPA Group Health Plan Trustees toterminate its program at the end of2001. After struggling for severalyears and seeking numerousoptions and solutions, the trusteesreached the conclusion that the bestcourse of action was to end theprogram.Many other small self-fundedgroup health programs, like theTPA self-funded program, havebeen terminated in recent years.Rising costs, small group size, everincreasing rates and adverseselection have all harmed thesefunds.The TPA Group Health fundoperated successfully for 18 yearsand provided important healthcoverage. It was an innovativeapproach to solving a significantproblem for members when it wasinitiated.22 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001