51.   Revising the inflation index the way the commission envisions would mean smaller annual increases in myriad government benefit programs that are tied to the index.

52.   Revising the inflation index the way the commission envisions would mean smaller annual increases in myriad government benefit programs are tied to the index.

53.   Some spending on government benefit programs would automatically rise in a recession, and politicians would be under pressure to increase other spending to help those in need.

54.   That federal law sets nationwide standards for worker benefit programs and forbids most state laws or regulations that relate to benefit plans.

55.   That measure is supposed to balance the budget in seven years while reducing taxes and limiting spending on Medicare, Medicaid and dozens of other benefit programs.

56.   The best place to start is benefit programs, called entitlements, since that category accounts for two-thirds of all federal spending.

57.   The company creates and administers pharmacy benefit programs for employers, insurers and government agencies.

58.   The cost of such benefit programs depends not on the annual appropriations bills, but on eligibility criteria and benefit formulas set by other laws.

59.   The company also plans to sell employee benefit programs to Vietnam-based units of foreign companies.

60.   The dissenters also noted that Varity had the legal right, at any time, to change or even end the benefit program.