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The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation of 2010
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract] 
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and
the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
 
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively the "Acts") were enacted by the US Congress in March 2010.  The Acts have both short- and long-term implications for benefit plan standards.  Implementation of this legislation is planned to occur in phases through 2018. 
 
In the short term, the Company’s healthcare costs are expected to increase due to the Acts’ raising of the maximum eligible age for covered dependents to receive benefits, the elimination of the lifetime dollar limits per covered individual, and restrictions on annual dollar limits on essential benefits per covered individual, among other standard requirements.  In the long term, the Company’s healthcare costs may increase due to the enactment of the excise tax on “high cost” healthcare plans.
 
The Company continues to evaluate the impact, if any, the Acts will have on its financial statements as new regulations under the Acts are issued.  The Company expects the general trend in healthcare costs to continue to rise and the effects of the Acts, and any future legislation, could materially impact the cost to provide healthcare benefits for many employers, including the Company.