The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has rescinded the guidance issued in May 2021 concerning the interpretation and enforcement of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Section 1557. The recission is effective immediately to reduce regulatory burden.
In its 2021 Guidance, HHS announced that it would construe Section 1557’s prohibition on discrimination “on the basis of sex” to include
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Hall Benefits Law Welcomes Partner Jean Yu, Establishes Los Angeles Office
Strategic West Coast Expansion Strengthens HBL’s National Reach in Employee Benefits, ERISA, and Executive Compensation
Los Angeles, CA (June 18, 2025) Hall Benefits Law, a recognized leader in employee benefits and ERISA legal services, has opened a Los Angeles office, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth. Leading this expansion is Jean Yu, a seasoned attorney who brings…
Federal Agencies Issue Statement on Non-enforcement of 2024 Mental Health Parity Regulations
The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury recently issued a statement on enforcement of the final rule concerning the requirements of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Due to litigation concerning the MHPAEA, the federal agencies have announced that they are reconsidering the regulations and may rescind or modify them through future rulemaking.…
Missouri Opposes Starbucks’ Motion to Dismiss DEI Bias Suit
The state of Missouri is opposing Starbucks’ motion to dismiss an anti-DEI discrimination lawsuit that it filed against the company. According to the state, it has alleged sufficient evidence of discrimination against its citizens to overcome dismissal. The case is State of Missouri v. Starbucks Corp., Case Number 4:25-cv-00165, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Missouri…
Sixth Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Michigan Company’s ERISA Excessive Healthcare Fee Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has revived an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) lawsuit filed by a yacht company against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) over excessive healthcare fees. The appellate court held that the lower federal district court erred in dismissing the suit, alleging that BCBSM had violated its fiduciary duties by…
Ninth Circuit Upholds Constitutionality of California’s Employee Classification Test
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently unanimously upheld a federal district court’s denial of a preliminary injunction in a suit challenging the constitutionality of California’s employee classification test. In its ruling, the appellate court rejected a trucking association’s challenges to the 2020 law under the dormant commerce and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution. The…
Workers Sue Cigna Alleging Misuse of Forfeited 401(k) Funds
Cigna employees have filed a lawsuit against the company for allegedly violating its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The claims stem from Cigna allegedly using forfeited funds from the company’s 401(k) plan to reduce its contributions to the plan rather than to reduce or eliminate participant administrative costs. The case is Reven et al. v. …
DOL Announces It Will Not Enforce Biden-Era Independent Contractor Rule
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (DOL) recently issued a bulletin announcing that its field staff will no longer utilize the agency’s 2024 independent contractor rule in enforcing the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The DOL bulletin directs staff to apply a 2008 fact sheet and a 2019 opinion letter in cases where individuals or the agency…
HHS Settles Potential HIPAA Violations for $600,000 After Phishing Attack
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a $600,000 settlement with an entity covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) following a phishing attack. The settlement involves PIH Health, Inc., a California-based health network.
The HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR) began investigating the incident after receiving a report in January…
Episode 5: Driving Business Success Through Smart Compensation Strategy
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Episode Summary:
This episode highlights how in-house legal and HR leaders can work together to align compensation strategies with business objectives, manage compliance, and adapt to an evolving regulatory landscape. David Hall speaks with Mark Beatty, SVP of Global Total Rewards at Paramount, about his career shift from law to HR, the…