On December 10, the American Benefits Council commended the lawmakers for their leadership on paid leave issues and provided specific recommendations for continued progress.

The Council is asking the presidential transition team to preserve and enhance the system of employer-provided health benefits.

In a recent letter sent to the tri-agencies, the Council voiced support for OTC contraceptive coverage without cost-sharing but emphasizes the need for safeguards against fraud and waste.

Plan sponsors must prepare for earlier PBGC premium filing deadlines for 2025 plan years, with payments due one month ahead of the usual schedule.

President Biden has signed into law two measures that modify the employer mandate and minimum essential coverage reporting rules for employers and insurers, and provide additional time for employers to reply to employer mandate penalty assessment letters.

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.