Biden-Harris administration Archives - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG

How the American Jobs Plan Would Affect the Workplace

by McDermott Will & Emery | Apr 21, 2021 | Employment, Labor

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, union neutrality and changes to wages and enforcement of health and safety regulations are part of the legislative plan on its way to Congress. Of these proposals, the PRO Act, which has already passed the US House of Representatives, may face the most opposition in the Senate.

In a recent article by the Society for Human Resource Management, McDermott partner Ron Holland examines the potential impact of President Biden’s infrastructure package on the American workforce and economy.

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DOL Move Bodes Well for Socially Conscious 401(k) Investing

by McDermott Will & Emery | Apr 20, 2021 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans, Retirement Plans

The US Department of Labor’s decision last month to table Trump-era regulations limiting socially conscious investments by retirement plans signals that the Biden administration is considering an embrace of so-called ESG funds, which attempt to advance environmental, social and corporate governance goals.

Tabling these regulations brings “the Department of Labor into alignment with the desire of not just plan fiduciaries, but more notably, the actual plan participants to use their retirement assets in a socially conscious manner,” McDermott partner Erin Turley said in an article for Law360.

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Look for Drug Pricing, Other Government Changes–But Be Prepared to Wait

by James W. Kim | Apr 15, 2021 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

Political divisiveness on Capitol Hill, a focus on impeachment activity and financial relief for the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as delays in confirming President Joe Biden’s nominees for cabinet and subcabinet positions—so far have caused a slowdown in the new administration’s ability to make sweeping changes affecting healthcare.

In an article for Pharmacy Practice News, McDermott partner James Kim discusses key issues to watch from Congress and the White House in 2021.

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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Key Healthcare Provisions

by Rodney Whitlock and Eric Zimmerman | Apr 7, 2021 | Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans, Labor, Privacy and Data Security, Retirement Plans

On March 10, 2021, US Congress finalized and passed the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARPA), the latest COVID-19 relief package that largely tracks President Joe Biden’s initial $1.9 trillion proposal. The ARPA extends unemployment insurance benefits and provides direct $1,400 stimulus payments to qualifying Americans, but it also makes several important health policy-related changes. These include providing funding for vaccine distribution and testing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, making policy adjustments to the Medicaid program, facilitating health insurance coverage and providing more money for healthcare providers. The final bill also makes two narrowly focused technical Medicare payment changes.

This summary highlights notable health policy provisions of the final bill.

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For more information, please contact Meg Gilley, Mara McDermott, Kristen O’Brien, Katie Waldo, Rodney Whitlock or Eric Zimmerman.

COVID-19 Relief Bill Offers COBRA Reform and Temporarily Increases DCAP Maximum

by Jacob Mattinson and Sarah Raaii | Mar 25, 2021 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans, Privacy and Data Security

On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) providing Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) reform provisions and an increase in Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) maximum deferrals. While details from the agencies are forthcoming, here is an overview of these provisions of the ARPA.

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New Resource Center: Navigating Change in the US Administration

by McDermott Will & Emery | Mar 19, 2021 | Employee Benefits, Employment

Pandemic relief, taxes, income inequality, climate change, infrastructure, healthcare and civil rights: the new US administration is moving forward rapidly on President Joe Biden’s stated priorities. So how are these new policies affecting your business? We’re here to keep you informed!

McDermott Will & Emery’s multidisciplinary team of industry-leading lawyers are monitoring key legal areas to help you navigate and gain perspective on the most critical impacts of changing US policies. Access the latest updates in our new resource center.

4 Discrimination Law Questions Looming as Biden Era Begins

by McDermott Will & Emery | Mar 16, 2021 | Employment, Labor, Privacy and Data Security

President Joe Biden is expected to usher in a decidedly more worker-friendly environment than his predecessor, but whether Congress or the courts embrace similar pro-employee leanings over the next four years is anyone’s guess.

In a recent article for Law360, McDermott partner Daniel Doron weighs in on four top-of-mind questions about bias law that may soon be addressed under the Biden administration.

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