12 pages. "The notice includes important proposed rules and parameters for the operation of the individual and small group health insurance markets in 2026 and beyond. This paper summarizes key provisions in the proposed notice and maximum out-of-pocket cost information recently released by HHS. Comments are due no later than March 13, 2026."  MORE >>

"This report describes current law and applicable regulations and guidance, specifically with regard to how the PTC and CSR requirements apply in 2026." [R44425 Feb. 19, 2026]  MORE >>

"On January 22, 2026, New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) released proposed rules implementing recent amendments to the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA). The amendments, which were adopted in October 2025 and are effective as of February 22, 2026, ... expand the covered reasons for leave, and add a new and separate bank of thirty-two hours of unpaid ESSTA leave, among other things."  MORE >>

"A split three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that a federal district court should decide whether Aramark can proceed with its lawsuit against Aetna or must resolve the dispute through arbitration. According to the court's ruling, the arbitration clause is sufficiently ambiguous to be subject to court review." [Aramark Serv. v. Aetna Life Ins., No. 24-40323 (5th Cir. Dec. 18, 2025)]  MORE >>

"The Eleventh Circuit noted that to state an FMLA interference claim, an employee may 'demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that he was entitled to an FMLA benefit and was denied that benefit.' Employees bringing interference claims are not required to make any showing regarding their employer's motives. However, where the plaintiff's claim is that he was unlawfully terminated due to exercising his FMLA rights, the employer can defend itself 'by establishing that the employee would have been terminated anyway.' " [Wilkie v. Outokumpu Stainless USA, LLC, No. 24-14109 (11th Cir. Nov. 4, 2025)]  MORE >>

"Louisiana is among the worst-performing states in maternal and infant health outcomes. So New Orleans is trying to catch health issues early -- and get families off to an easier start -- by adding health visits during the crucial first months of life. The hope is that health outcomes can be improved by returning to the old-fashioned medical practice of house calls.... Research on North Carolina's program found that every $1 invested in the program saved $3.17 in health care billing before the child turned 2."  MORE >>

"The prevalence of ASD has increased significantly, with diagnoses rising from 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 31 children in 2022.... Employers face escalating costs and unmet employee needs due to care gaps and delays in diagnoses. By addressing these challenges, employers can manage financial risks while providing meaningful and sustainable support to employees and their families."  MORE >>

14 pages. "[ERIC recommends] that the Departments require the CEO or authorized representative of the owner of the provider network to 'attest' that any TiC MRF produced by this provider network owner is complete and accurate and in compliance with the TiC regulatory requirements.... [If] the owner of the provider network produces a TiC MRF that is non-compliant, the liability for such non-compliance should not rest with the plan sponsor, but instead any liability should rest with the entity that is producing the TiC MRFs in the first place."  MORE >>

"SOC reports are still critical for evaluating internal control effectiveness, especially as organizations rely more and more on third-party service providers. These reports have grown in volume and complexity, but improving the traditional process of manually reviewing them has not kept pace.... Artificial intelligence (AI) ... can help modernize SOC report review process in four key ways: [1] control identification through risk alignment, [2] trend analysis, [3] operational efficiency, and [4] governance -- all without compromising professional judgement."  MORE >>

"Part 2 examines the newest fronts in ERISA litigation, including the surge in forfeiture and voluntary benefits lawsuits ... Also addressed is the growing role of documentation, engaged oversight, and defensible process as courts continue to emphasize prudence over outcomes. This installment also looks at the evolving regulatory environment ... and what that could mean for plan advisors and sponsors. Ultimately, Part 2 focuses on practical steps fiduciaries can take now to strengthen governance, tighten documentation, and reduce litigation exposure."  MORE >>