On July 4, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBB”). Below we outline the key provisions impacting plan sponsors related to their health and welfare plans. Many of these provisions are...more
On March 10, 2024, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in a much-followed putative class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”) alleging that the plan fiduciaries for J&J’s group health plan violated ERISA by...more
On October 17, 2024, the IRS issued two Notices: one regarding preventive care services that an HSA-compatible high deductible health plan (“HDHP”) can cover on a pre-deductible basis and another allowing the cost of condoms...more
On April 29, 2024, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) released a final regulation (the “Final Rule”) that rescinded the Trump Administration rule that expanded the availability of association health plans (“AHPs”) (“Trump DOL...more
On March 28, 2024, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (the “Tri-Agencies”) issued final regulations on short-term, limited-duration insurance (“STLDI”), hospital and other fixed indemnity...more
On January 16, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) dropped its appeal of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s September 29, 2023 decision that vacated a portion of the 2021 Notice of...more
On September 29, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia vacated the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (“2021 NBPP”) amendments to Affordable Care Act regulations. The amendments permitted (but...more
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”) and National Emergency (“NE”) have been in place since early 2020. In January 2023, President Biden stated his intention for both to end on May 11, 2023. There have been many...more
4/7/2023
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Enrollment ,
Health Insurance ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Medicaid ,
MHPAEA ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
On June 16, 2022 Groom will be hosting a webinar on the impact of state abortion restrictions on employers, insurers, and self-insured plans. Over the past year, numerous states have enacted new abortion restrictions, and we...more
On December 2, 2021, President Biden announced new actions to combat COVID-19, given the emergence of the new Omicron variant. As part of his nine-point plan, the President included a directive that “the more than 150...more
On December 2, 2021, President Biden announced new actions to combat COVID-19, given the emergence of the new Omicron variant. As part of his nine-point plan, the President included a directive that “the more than 150...more
On July 1, 2021, the Office of Personnel Management, Department of the Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Department of Labor (“DOL”) (collectively, the “Departments”), released the interim final...more
This webinar will include a discussion on the various provisions of the new surprise billing law, how it interacts with current law, expected guidance from the Biden Administration, and implications for health insurance...more
1/6/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Insurance ,
Health Plan Sponsors ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Hospitals ,
New Legislation ,
Out of Network Provider ,
Physicians ,
Surprise Medical Bills ,
Webinars
In the recently-decided Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (“PCMA”), the Supreme Court found 8–0 (Justice Barrett did not take part) that ERISA did not preempt an Arkansas state law that established...more
1/5/2021
/ Corporate Counsel ,
Drug Pricing ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Health Insurance ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Pharmacies ,
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) ,
Preemption ,
Prescription Drug Coverage ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Rutledge v Pharmaceutical Care Management Association ,
SCOTUS
The dust has settled and the 2020 election has concluded with former Vice President Biden poised to become president. At the same time, Democratic control of the House of Representatives has narrowed to the smallest margin...more
Regular readers of this Benefits Brief will recall that there is a case challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) percolating through the courts. ...more
Recently, plaintiffs’ firms have filed a flurry of class action lawsuits against employers, alleging violations of COBRA’s election notice requirements and seeking statutory and other penalties. ...more
As you may recall, in late September, we expected a decision from the Fifth Circuit in Texas v. United States—the case challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)—in the fall of...more
1/10/2020
/ Affordable Care Act ,
Appeals ,
Case or Controversy ,
Congressional Authority ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Health Insurance ,
Individual Mandate ,
Intervenors ,
Motion to Expedite ,
Penalties ,
Petition for Writ of Certiorari ,
Remand ,
SCOTUS ,
Severability Doctrine ,
Shared Responsibility Rule ,
Standing ,
Tax Penalties