Day: January 21, 2026

• When Ashtabula reclaimed healthcare control, they saved $2.4M in year one with just 300 school district employees. That’s $8,000 per employee. The district went from dangerously low reserves to choosing how to spend their dividend: higher pay, better benefits, subsidized healthy food, restored programs.
• Approximately $450 million annually flows out of Ashtabula County into distant corporate healthcare systems. A tremendous sum for a county of 100,000 people. That extraction weakens everything: wages, schools, economic opportunity, health outcomes.

Continue reading How Three Communities Cut Healthcare Costs 20-50% and Redirected Savings Back to Employees

Did You Know That 100,000,000 Americans Qualify For Free Care?

SOURCE: Memberly Benefits.

Healthcare costs can feel overwhelming for both individuals and employers. Fortunately, there are federal rules designed to ensure fairness in how nonprofit hospitals bill patients and provide financial assistance. One of the most important is IRS Section 501(r). Here’s a breakdown of what it is, how it works, and why it matters for employees, employers, and plan sponsors.

Continue reading Understanding IRS Section 501(r): What Employers and Employees Need to Know

Lesli Wood – Regional Vice President of Sales for Central/South Texas

She brings over 25 years of experience in the health benefits industry, with a proven track record in sales and account management at organizations such as Allied Benefit Systems and Humana. Her passion for building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service makes her a valuable addition to the Meritain Health Sales Team.

Continue reading Meet Lesli Wood