"The new law would amend the Illinois Human Rights Act to include 'menopause-related condition' in the list of protected classifications ... The new law also adds several items to the list of possible reasonable accommodations for pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, including flexible scheduling or modified work hours and/or temperature and climate-adjusted workspaces. Employer notices must now include information regarding these additional reasonable accommodations for these conditions as part of the right to any reasonable accommodations for pregnancy."  MORE >>

"Maryland District Judge Brendon Hurson tossed multiple elements of the regulation, including a $5 penalty for automatic re-enrollments and an element that would revoke guaranteed coverage for people who have past-due premiums. In addition, the court vacated a shortened enrollment period for the 2027 plan year, new eligibility verifications for special enrollment periods and plans to eliminate a 60-day extension that would allow individuals to address inconsistencies in household income[.]" [City of Columbus v. Kennedy, No. 25-2114 (D. Md. Jun. 12, 2026)]  MORE >>

"Emerging evidence suggests that the [No Surprises Act] might not have the effects that CBO anticipated. Although prices for some services that had high rates of surprise billing before the law's enactment have declined (after adjusting them for inflation), several published reports indicate that providers are winning more than 8 in 10 IDR cases and are being awarded payments that are much higher than expected, particularly in certain geographic areas. CBO is therefore seeking research that evaluates the law's effects on health care prices and network participation."  MORE >>

"[E]ight states ... have taken an important first step by developing and maintaining health care cost growth targets. However, these programs demonstrate that while targets and transparency can reveal the sources of spending growth, complementary policies are necessary to meaningfully bend the cost curve."  MORE >>

"Centene Corp. will extend buyout offers to most of its employees in an effort to cut costs after enrollment in its health insurance plans fell steeply over the past year ... The St. Louis-based insurer employed 61,000 people in the first quarter ... The spokesperson did not specify how far Centene intends to shrink its headcount, but said layoffs could follow if the company fails to reach its target through voluntary departures[.]"  MORE >>

"Under the old USPS rule, a plan sponsor or recordkeeper could reliably mail notices or other important benefits documents the day before a deadline, counting on the postmark reflecting the date the USPS received the mail.... [U]nder the new rule, the same plan sponsor or recordkeeper could miss a deadline if the mail was not automatically sorted until later.... Tax filings and IRS correspondence could attract late-filing penalties. COBRA notices sent even a day 'late' by postmark can expose employers to statutory penalties. Benefit claims and appeals with missed administrative deadlines can result in denied coverage or loss of discretionary review rights. ERISA-required participant notices could be deemed noncompliant."  MORE >>