Category Archives: Government
Inflation Reduction Act Contains Some Health Reforms
On Aug. 12, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law shortly. While this bill is primarily aimed at fighting inflation and reducing carbon emissions, it also … Continue reading
2023 Open Enrollment Checklist
To prepare for open enrollment, group health plan sponsors should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023. Employers should review their plan documents … Continue reading
Proposed Overtime Rule Expected in October 2022
In its recent spring regulatory agenda, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its plans to issue a proposed overtime rule in October 2022. According to the agency’s regulatory agenda, this proposed rule is expected to address how to implement … Continue reading
CDC Loosens Mask-wearing Guidance for Most of U.S. Population
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updates to its mask-wearing recommendations, loosening guidance for a majority of the U.S. population. The CDC provides COVID-19 Community Levels as a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps … Continue reading
OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 ETS, but Not the Proposed Permanent Rule
On Jan. 25, 2022, OSHA provided notice that it is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccination and weekly testing emergency temporary standard (ETS). The withdrawal will be effective once the notice is published in the Federal Register. The expected publication date is … Continue reading
Supreme Court Stays OSHA ETS Vaccination and Testing Mandate
On Jan. 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled to stay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS). The ETS was developed to establish a mandatory vaccination policy requirement … Continue reading
Agencies Issue Guidance on Coverage of OTC COVID-19 Tests
On Jan. 10, 2022, the Depts. of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury issued FAQ guidance regarding the requirements for group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Legal Requirements Plans … Continue reading
Understanding Biden’s Vaccine Mandate
Understanding Biden’s Vaccine Mandate – Presentation Above is a link to download a Power Point over Biden’s Vaccine Mandate. Below is a link to download and print Employer Checklist for OSHA’s Covid-10 Vaccination ETS Preparing for OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination ETS … Continue reading
President Biden Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Federal Employees and Large Employers
On Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, President Joe Biden signed executive orders requiring federal workers and contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Biden also directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to draft a new emergency rule requiring all businesses … Continue reading
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Fully Approved by FDA
On Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine It is the first full approval of any coronavirus vaccine in the United States. The other vaccines, Moderna and Johnson & … Continue reading
