When I was an individual member, it included the usual card, magazine subscription, and insurance, but they also included an annual paper rulebook. (The rulebook is still listed as a benefit on the USFSA site.)
We have a family membership through our Club, which includes cards, one magazine subscription and insurance, but we only distribute one rulebook/family, and only on request. This year, the club switched to a CD/ROM instead of the paper version, which was fine with me. The club membership is more expensive than the current individual membership ($120 vs. $85). My students who became introductory club members this year paid $70 each, even though the USFSA charge is only $25, but they will receive skater support for their testing and competitions.
Clubs are run by volunteers who:
. Enter the membership additions/renewals
. Verify current enrollment
. Verify test/competition status
. Answer inquiries from those members
. Distribute rulebooks (paper or CD)
For individual members, the USFSA has to pay staff to do those functions, which increases expenses. I know many adults who didn't want to get involved with a club because of the volunteer hours, cost and personalities, so they chose the individual membership route. With club membership declining, the club costs increase, so maybe the USFSA does do want to drive people back into the clubs to keep them going. Hopefully, there are plans to resolve the personality issues and the costs as well.
I don't think a USFSA Club is required to offer any ice time at all. Our Club doesn't have any regular ice time, although they do host competitions, test sessions and special practice/evaluation events.