American Benefits Council President James Klein explains how the “I-PLAN,” a federal intermediary designed to help harmonize state paid family leave laws represents a positive step toward greater harmonization of varied and disparate state paid leave laws.

The American Benefits Council commends the bipartisan House Working Group on Paid Leave for developing draft legislation to help coordinate and harmonize state paid family and medical leave laws.

The Council's interactive website tool for obtaining information on state and municipal paid family leave laws has been updated with changes to 16 jurisdictions.

A number of bipartisan bills ready to be included in a year-end legislative package that would measurably improve health care affordability and access.

In the latest episode of Just a Minute!, Katy Johnson, senior counsel, health policy, underscores the very significant implications of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) rules for employer sponsors of health coverage.

The American Benefits Council recently collaborated with the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) on a study of the importance of ERISA preemption to the operation of employer-sponsored benefit plans.

Katy Johnson, currently the American Benefits Council's senior counsel, health policy, will succeed James Klein as president of the American Benefits Council effective January 1, 2025.

On November 14, the Council hosted a Benefits Briefing webinar focusing on legislative, regulatory and judicial activity, including various measures that may be included in a lame-duck spending package before the end of the year.

From October 30 to November 6, 2024, the American Benefits Council surveyed plan sponsors on employer-provided parking and transportation allowances.

No matter who wins Congress and the White House in the upcoming election, benefits issues are likely to be front-and-center — not just in 2025 and beyond, but perhaps even sooner, in a 2024 lame-duck session.

While the Council is not directly advocating on abortion policy at the federal or state levels, the Council continues to monitor related issues to serve as a resource for members.

From July 31 to August 8, 2024, the American Benefits Council surveyed plan sponsors on paid holidays and a potential paid holiday for a National Day of Mourning.