Press Release

The Wagner Law Group Submits Amicus Curiae Briefs in Association Health Plan Case

Issued by The Wagner Law Group P.C.

July 8, 2019

The case is a challenge by New York and other States to the DOL's recently issued AHP regulation (1) permitting self-employed individuals with no employees to participate in an AHP, and (2) allowing employers in different industries to establish a geographic-based AHP (the "Final Rule"). The District Court's decision to invalidate the Final Rule was based on its conclusion that the DOL's interpretation of ERISA was unreasonable (please see the firm's April 1, 2019 Law Alert covering this case).

The firm's amicus curiae briefs (which can be read by clicking here), were filed on behalf of (1) the Oklahoma Insurance Department and the Montana State Auditor, (2) The Coalition to Protect and Promote Association Health Plans joined with AssociationHealthPlans.com (the "Coalition"), and (3) the National Association of REALTORS® and affiliates (the "REALTORS®"), and all take the position that the Final AHP Rule is a reasonable interpretation of ERISA.

The brief for the States offers reasons why the new "geographic-based" AHP criteria will create a sufficiently strong connection to establish the "commonality" needed for an AHP to be treated as a single plan, particularly because the proximity of the employers will also aid in creating the required "genuine organizational relationship," when combined with the required common "control" of the governing board that participating employers of an AHP must have.

The brief for the Coalition challenges the assumptions made by the States that oppose the Rule, about the legal and practical consequences of the Rule. This brief notes that those States already have existing laws that prohibit certain types of AHPs, and have broad authority to continue to regulate AHPs within their State, while many other States already have implemented laws to work with the DOL Final Rule.

The brief for the REALTORS® explains that there is a statutory basis for the DOL to deem a self-employed individual with no employees to be eligible to participate in an ERISA-covered AHP, and that deeming these self-employed individuals to be eligible to participate in an AHP is reasonable in light of changing market dynamics and a new and improved regulatory environment.

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