"Employees are not compelled to accept the proposed payment, and can pursue private litigation ... A company cannot explore participation anonymously, but must self-identify and provide information about its non-compliance.... USDOL may not agree with the employer's proposed monetary remedy, but may demand more unpaid wages.... The program can also now be used to correct mistakes in the administration of the Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA]."  MORE >>

"SB 5101 amends the state's Domestic Violence Leave law to include victims of hate crimes (and their family members).... HB 1875 amends the state's paid sick leave statute itself to include protections for employees or their family members who must participate in immigration proceedings.... SB 5101 takes effect on January 1, 2026 ... HB 1875 is already in effect as of July 27, 2025[.]"  MORE >>

"HUB's National Actuarial Team recommends the following trend projections for 2026 budget planning: [1] Rx Only: 10%-12%; [2] Medical & Rx Combined: 8%-10%; [3] Medical Only: 7%-9%; [4] Dental: 4%-5%; [5] Vision: 2%-3%."  MORE >>

"[E]mployers can leverage manufacturer co-pay assistance programs that could help lower out-of-pocket expenses for patients. They also can implement utilization management strategies ... to ensure medications dispensed are appropriate for a given patient's condition.... Employers should seek out medical plans that offer dedicated oncology case management."  MORE >>

"People thinking about starting a business or retiring early -- before they're old enough for Medicare -- may want to wait until November ... Premiums for ACA health plans ... which many early retirees and small-business owners rely on for coverage, are going up ... At the same time, more generous tax subsidies that have helped most policyholders pay for coverage are set to expire at the end of December."  MORE >>

"[H]ospitals, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) all are under scrutiny by Congress in efforts to curb the growth in healthcare costs. The Senate Health, Labor Education and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a July 31 hearing to examine ways to make healthcare more affordable for consumers and other purchasers, and the discussion focused on various stakeholder groups."  MORE >>

"On one side, you've got stealth tactics masquerading as PPO networks. On the other, you've got AI-driven bounty hunters combing through mountains of closed claims in search of underpayments. Neither side would exist were it not for the grotesquely unsustainable price-fixing insurers and hospital systems rammed down the throats of employers and patients alike. It's a charade built upon a fantasy, manipulating the system that everyone hates, yet is overwhelmingly afraid to leave for something new."  MORE >>

"[T]he truth behind our system's dysfunction is more complex than any one narrative allows. The real issue isn't one payer, one policy or one bad actor. It's a deeply fragmented system built on competing incentives, misaligned responsibilities and layers of administrative friction. To fix what's broken, we need to understand how each stakeholder operates, where inefficiencies creep in and how the system can be realigned to deliver better outcomes for all."  MORE >>

"Employers and employees agree modern benefits should be up to date, new, and different. However, employers focus on the types of benefits offered, while employees are more concerned with how benefits address their individual challenges. Today's employees expect more than just a benefits package. They seek flexibility, financial support, and a workplace that prioritizes their overall well-being, including stress management programs and paid leave for various life events."  MORE >>