126 pages. "The HBN Rule requires vendors of personal health records and related entities that are not covered by [HIPAA] to notify individuals, the FTC, and, in some cases, the media of a breach of unsecured personally identifiable health data.... The amendments: [1] clarify the Rule's scope, including its coverage of developers of many health applications; [2] clarify what it means for a vendor of personal health records to draw PHR identifiable health information from multiple sources; [3] revise the definition of breach of security ... [4] revise the definition of PHR related entity; [5] modernize the method of notice; [6] expand the content of the notice; [and] [7] alter the Rule's timing requirement for notifying the FTC of a breach of security[.]"  MORE >>

"The Fiduciary Rule ... expands the definition of fiduciary advice to cover more one-time recommendations that may more commonly apply to health and welfare plans that include investments and HSAs.... Financial institutions, consultants, and advisers seeking to avoid fiduciary status will want to carefully review their HSA, MSA, and Coverdell sales and marketing materials. It also may be necessary to put guardrails in place to ensure that sales teams and call center employees do not unintentionally provide investment advice when speaking with employers and account holders."  MORE >>

"An attestation will be required prior to certain disclosures to confirm that the request is not for an improper purpose, effective beginning December 23, 2024. Covered entities, including employer sponsors of self-insured group health plans and insurers, will need to update their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) by February 16, 2026, to include these new protections."  MORE >>

"The final rules confirm that only hours worked within the City of Chicago count towards the accrual of Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave.... [R]emote workers who meet the definition of a covered employee are covered even if the employer is physically located outside of Chicago.... Under the final rules, an employer who denies a Paid Leave request must do so in writing, stating a 'pre-established policy rationale' and issuing the written denial immediately upon denying the request."  MORE >>

"[W]hile the majority of manufacturing and nonprofit employers were previously exempt from providing statutory paid sick leave, they will now need to do so if the number of their Connecticut employees meets the threshold."  MORE >>

"Employers have entered a period of assessment and scrutiny as they revisit approaches. Employer dollars invested in well-being continue at the same level. Global employers press forward with key priority areas. Employers are eyeing other rapidly evolving issues that impact employee well-being. Employers will continue to provide family-forming benefits and reproductive support. On-site offerings at the worksite level out. Lifestyle spending accounts (LSAs) continue to generate buzz and curiosity, but many employers are still weighing implementation."  MORE >>

"Currently, health care represents about 17% of the U.S. economy ... Back in 1960, health spending represented just 5% of GDP ... Out-of-pocket spending per person was $115 in 1970 (or, adjusted for inflation, $677). By 2022, out-of-pocket spending had reached $1,425 per person.... [H]ealth insurance now covers a larger share of total health spending (72%) than it did in 1970 (42%), in part because more people have gained coverage, especially public coverage, but also because health insurance spending per enrollee has grown."  MORE >>

"The chairmen of two Senate committees overseeing health policy ... are looking into the practices of a data analytics firm that works with big insurers to cut payments to medical providers.... The senators called on MultiPlan to meet with the committees' staffs to discuss an investigation ... by The New York Times that found the firm's pricing tools could leave patients with unexpectedly large bills when they see doctors outside their health plans' networks.'

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"Working Paper 32484 DOI 10.3386/w32484 Issue Date May 2024 This study examines the rise of private health insurance in the United States in the post- World War II era.... These findings suggest the rise of private health insurance in the U.S. was not solely due to wartime wage freezes, collective bargaining, or favorable tax treatment. Rather, it was also enabled by an interest group-financed Campaign that used ideology to influence the behavior and views of ordinary citizens."  MORE >>

"ERIC commends the Department for ... removing problematic provisions that would have restricted employer plan design and administration; and establishing requirements for PBMs to track and report increased service costs stemming from state laws and regulations.... ERIC strongly encourages the Department to include an explicit exemption for ERISA self-insured health benefit plans and the PBMs that administer them when doing so on their behalf."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in Texas that were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on April 26, 2024 ... now have until Nov.1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in: Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"[1] Don't ignore it.... [2] Do ask for help.... [3] Don't overshare.... [4] Do reflect and correct."  MORE >>