29.10.2019 07.55 CDT
Employers need to develop strategies for dealing with state/federal tug-of-war over regulatory authority.
The (Individual) States of America vs The United States of America
The states and the federal government are engaged in a tug-of-war over the ability to issue rules affecting key HR and benefits matters. This is a game with no winners.
There is an ongoing conflict between the federal government and individual states over benefits and HR policies--with states seeking to fill gaps left by the federal government and the federal government claiming that the state initiatives are preempted.
11.01.2018 07.36 CST
Under the proposed regulation, a group of employers could be considered as an “employer” under ERISA if the employers had a “commonality of interest.” This is defined very loosely in the proposed regulation.
Association Health Plans on the Move
Proposed new rule opens way for a new type of health plan.
A new proposed regulation opens the way to expand association health plans (AHPs). AHPs are plans sponsored by a group of unrelated employers, linked by factors such as a common industry or geography. These AHP plans will be allowed to offer reduced benefits in order to lower the cost of coverage. The stated goal of the proposed regulation is to make it easier for small employers to buy lower cost health insurance.
However, the new plans create risks for employees, employers and insurance markets.