31.   Business groups have balked at a requirement that they offer a standard benefits package.

32.   But consultants say employees may be able to make up some of the difference by taking better advantage of their benefit packages.

33.   But many offer a good benefits package.

34.   But Ms. Feldman said she would resist any effort to exempt such schools from union pay scales and benefit packages.

35.   But the debate quickly ranged past the issue of whether the fines were appropriate to the question of whether the legislation should include a standard benefits package at all.

36.   But the larger problem -- whether abortion should be part of any standard benefits package -- remains.

37.   But these unresolved questions are unlikely to keep these increasingly popular executive benefits packages from spreading.

38.   But, Republicans said, premiums, deductibles, co-payments and details of the benefit packages would vary among plans.

39.   By contrast, the conservative Heritage Foundation and many Republicans want to encourage plans to offer different benefit packages, including benefits not now covered by Medicare.

40.   Coaches have suggested it would take no more than the salary of a player like Deion Sanders to fund the upgraded benefits package.