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Bon Secours Richmond Health System has entered the health insurance game. The system recently launched its Bon Secours Value Network, a self-insured program for small- and medium-sized businesses in central Virginia. (Demeria, 6/1)

Piedmont Healthcare is sending letters to about 150,000 Georgians, warning them that its network agreement with UnitedHealthcare will end unless a new contract is approved soon. The letter, obtained by GHN, indicates the current three-year contract between the two organizations expires June 30. And Piedmont officials said Wednesday that they have little hope for a new agreement before the old deal lapses. (Miller, 6/1)

Federal and state insurance regulators are determining the fate of the pending health insurance mergers, and many large employers won't be disappointed if officials torpedo the deals.Several surveys of Fortune 500 companies and other big employers reveal nervousness that the reduced competition among health insurers will mean higher healthcare costs for them. (Herman, 6/1)

Employer-sponsored health insurance is likely to remain in place for an extended period of time, about two dozen chief human resources officers told researchers with the American Health Policy Institute, according to a new report. The executives say health insurance helps recruit employees, and then keeps them healthy and on the job. More than half of the insured people in the U.S. are covered through their employer. (McIntire, 6/1)

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will offer several of its Omnia health plans though an organization that provides self-funded health and dental benefits to 15 independent trade association employers, covering about 18,000 employees and their dependents. The deal with Association Master Trust started Wednesday, Horizon, New Jersey's biggest health insurer, said. Horizon's Omnia plans sparked protests last year because they lower premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs if consumers use a limited set of Tier 1 hospitals and health systems. (Brubaker, 6/1)