"Leave under the new law is in addition to an employee's rights under USERRA ... USERRA does not have the tenure and hours requirements of the new law so an employee may be entitled to leave under USERRA where the employee may not be under the new law. However, leave under USERRA is unpaid. The new law's definition of who is entitled to take leave is also broader than USERRA ... Given the August 1, 2025 effective date, Illinois employers may need to make necessary adjustments to their military leave policies and leave request processes as soon as possible."  MORE >>

"This new law, which came into effect immediately, consolidates and replaces several prior laws that addressed lactation and breast milk extraction rights in the workplace. While the new Code retained most of the provisions from the previous laws, it introduced significant changes that expand employee protections and impose new compliance obligations on private employers."  MORE >>

"[DOL Advisory Opinion 2025-02A found] that the California Association of Professional Firefighters (CAPF) Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan is not an ERISA-covered employee welfare benefit plan.... DOL determined that CAPF does not exist for the purpose of dealing with employers concerning an employee benefit plan. Therefore, CAPF is not an employee organization. [DOL] then ruled that while CAPF has some of the characteristics of an employees' beneficiary association in that it has a formal organization, it generally does not deal with employers ... However, in DOL's view, CAPF membership is not conditioned on employment status nor do employees 'participate' in CAPF."  MORE >>

"[The Sixth Circuit] upheld a lower court's decision to dismiss the lawsuit.... The Chamber of Commerce had filed the suit originally to halt the pricing program. Plaintiffs ... argued the program is unconstitutional and stifles innovation, while the law's defenders say the program makes lifesaving drugs more affordable." [Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce v. Kennedy, No. 24-3868 (6th Cir. Aug. 6, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[T]he Fifth Circuit partially reversed a district court ruling that had thrown out ERISA and contract claims brought by Texas emergency physician groups against 24 out-of-state Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates. The court's opinion clarifies how assignments of benefits, anti-assignment clauses, and exhaustion requirements apply when emergency providers seek reimbursement for patients' care." [Angelina Emergency Medicine Associates Pa v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, No. 24-10306 (5th Cir. Aug. 8, 2025)]  MORE >>

"Medical practices are no different than any other small or mid-sized business when it comes to budget busters: Health insurance accounts for between between 30% and 40% of their total compensation costs.... [1] Dig deep into your health claims data.... [2] Pair analytics with clinical informatics.... [3] Ensure contract compliance.... [4] Consider alternatives."  MORE >>

"When the ACA was voted into law in 2010, ... its dependent coverage expansion was immediately effective, guaranteeing health insurance to millions of young Americans up to age 26 who would otherwise not have had coverage.... The erosion of the law has now created an 'insurance cliff' for Americans who are turning 26 and don't have a job that provides medical coverage."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in parts of West Virginia affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on June 14, 2025 ... now have until Feb. 2, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households residing or having a business in Marion and Ohio counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>