By Evan Falchuk

It has arrived!  The second edition of the first employee benefits blog carnival is here.

The first edition was a big hit.  So it should be no surprise that the second edition again features a terrific collection of writing about the issues most important to health care benefits professionals.

Click below to find out what’s hot!

At Managed Care Matters, Joe Paduda asks a provocative question:  What’s the purpose of a health plan?

Jason Shafrin at Healthcare Economist digests the latest data on trends in benefits among employers in recession-ravaged California.

On the health care reform front, Dick Quinn of the always-enjoyable Quinn’s Commentary gives an informed review of what health care reform will really cost.  Roger Collier says no one should have been surprised at the Virginia decision ruling the individual mandate unconstitutional – but that the story is a long way from being over.  Meanwhile, Hank Stern at Insureblog isn’t optimistic the judge’s decision will be upheld.  And David Kerrigan of the newly renamed A Musing Healthcare Blog wonders how well-intentioned controls on hospital construction may be making health care more expensive.

Back in the trenches of employee benefits, Jennifer Benz of Benz Communications shares three things she wishes everyone knew about employee benefits.

At Enabling Health Decisions, George van Antwerp reports (with some skepticism) on a Milliman study that shows how employers can save a lot of money on pharmacy costs.

One of the biggest untold stories in benefits is just how innovative employers are when it comes to health care.  David Williams of the Health Business Blog talks with the CEO of a company trying to make cost and quality information more available to consumers. Kelly Butler, editor in chief of Employee Benefit News, blogs about “e-visits,” a possible emerging trend in voluntary benefits programs.

Don’t forget doctors and hospitals when it comes to efforts to improve the quality and cost of care.  At Action for Better Healthcare, former hospital CEO Mike Stephens writes how a hospital system in Minnesota is changing the way it delivers care.  You should also go and read Dr. Jane Schwabe’s important work to help children in her community learn the healthy habits they need to live healthy lives.

The next Benefits Package will be hosted by Hank Stern at InsureBlog on January 10, 2011.

If you want to host – and why wouldn’t you? – please check out instructions on how to request a slot here.

Thanks again for all the terrific submissions!