Calendar of Events

February Program Meeting - What Healthcare Reform Means for Employers

February 17 | 11:15 am-1 pm   

Related Site:

Tulsa Country Club (Show Map)

701 North Union
Tulsa, OK

Presented by Debbie Blackwell

Blackwell Smith, PC

Join TAHRA this month as Debbie Blackwell presents an overview of the basic elements of the proposed (or possibly final) legislation on Healthcare Reform.  She will focus on key changes affecting employers and their health plan insurers.  She will also be identifying new rules and the earliest effective dates for employers.  HR professionals will not want to miss this important and informative program on proposed legislation and what it means for employers.

Ms. Blackwell is a founder and shareholder of Blackwell Smith, P.C. (previously Concordia Benefits Group, P.C.) - a law firm that advises clients exclusively in the area of employee benefits law.  Based in Tulsa, the law firm represents employer clients located largely in the Southwest, ranging from professional groups to large publicly-held companies.  Ms. Blackwell advises clients on the full range of employee benefits issues and plans, including fiduciary counseling, retirement plan design and plan compliance correction.  Much of her practice is focused on health and welfare plan matters, such as the integration of wellness initiatives into group health plans, COBRA compliance and cafeteria plan issues.  Her background as a group insurance broker and underwriter enables her to assist with practical as well as legal issues that arise with group insurance policies and third party administration agreements.

Ms. Blackwell is listed in The Best Lawyers in America among employee benefits practitioners, and has received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV.  She has also been named as a Super Lawyer in Oklahoma for employee benefits.  She has served as President of the Southwest Benefits Association and is a frequent speaker at employee benefits conferences. 

Ms. Blackwell is a graduate of the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy and a Juris Doctorate, and has a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans/Wharton School of Business.

A graduate of Leadership Tulsa, Class XIX, Ms. Blackwell has previously served as president of the Girl Scouts - Magic Empire Council and on numerous other nonprofit boards.  She previously served on the TAHRA Board of Directors and recently completed a term on the Board for the Tulsa Employee Benefits Group.