Colorado Archives - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG

Imported Drugs: (Possibly) Coming Soon to a State Near You

by James Ravitz, Paul Gadiock, Marissa Hill Daley, Nathan Gray and Karis Jackson | May 16, 2024 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

In recent years, states have been exploring innovative avenues to address rising healthcare costs and ensure access to affordable medication for their residents. One idea gaining traction involves pursuing authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for importation programs under Section 804 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to import prescription drugs from Canada. These “Section 804 Importation Programs” (SIPs), if approved, would enable states to import prescription drugs from Canada, often at significantly lower prices than those available in the United States.

After years of legal and other challenges to the rule, on January 5, 2024, the FDA authorized Florida’s SIP proposal. While eight other states have laws that permit drug importation, and six of them are seeking FDA approval, this is the first time that the FDA has approved a state entity to import drugs from another country. Following Florida’s example, Colorado and other states are moving forward with their own SIP plans.

State Regulators Step Up Privacy Enforcement Relating to Employee Data

by Elliot R. Golding and Allison McSorley Tassel | Sep 5, 2023 | Privacy and Data Security

Regulators in California and Colorado recently announced enforcement sweeps under new and newly updated state privacy laws. Companies in Colorado (including nonprofits) and California should double-check their privacy notices, processes and documentation to comply with these laws, particularly the enforcement priorities identified in the notices.

July Trending in Telehealth

by Dale C. Van Demark and Grayson I. Dimick | Aug 2, 2023 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

Numerous states—including Alaska, Maryland, California and Colorado—have been busy finalizing rulemaking and legislation impacting Medicaid coverage and maternal health. What have these states been up to over the last month?

Learn more here.

Colorado Continues to Whittle Away at Non-Compete Agreements

by Michelle S. Strowhiro, Cristell Fortune and Brian Mead | Sep 27, 2022 | Employment, Labor

Effective August 10, 2022, Colorado’s laws governing restrictive covenants were amended to provide additional limitations and hurdles for employers who seek non-compete and non-solicit agreements with their employees, including compensation thresholds and notice requirements. The new law also sets forth steep penalties for any violations. This article provides the details of these new restrictions.

State Law Privacy Video Series | Employee Exemptions

by Fran P. Forte | Aug 30, 2022 | Employee Benefits, Employment, Privacy and Data Security

California, Virginia and Colorado have new privacy laws coming into effect in 2023. But now is the time to start preparing your business or organization for compliance. Throughout the State Law Privacy video series, we examine the different aspects of these laws and provide you the knowledge and tools you need for proper compliance.

In the next video of the series, Associate Fran Forte explores one of the notable exemptions under California’s law as it relates to employee data and how employee data is handled under Virginia and Colorado’s privacy laws.

Watch here.