Washington, D.C., November 20, 2024 – The ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) this week, submitted public comments on proposed regulations (Proposed Rules) from the Colorado Division of Insurance aimed at administering parity for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. ERIC’s public comments strongly urge Colorado regulators to reconsider the Proposed Rules, cautioning that if the state rules conflict with future changes to federal law, it could lead to future compliance conflicts and undermine how employers administer benefit plans.
Miscellaneous Archives:
ERIC Legal Center Files Amicus Briefs in Two Key Cases Affecting How Large Employers Operate Employee Benefit Plans
Washington, D.C., November 19, 2024 – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) recently filed amicus briefs in two separate cases affecting large employers. The first case represents a challenge to the practice of “pension risk transfer.” This is a growing area of class action litigation where the trial bar attacks routine transactions that are part of plan administration for pension plans governed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
ERIC President and CEO James Gelfand Named a Top Lobbyist of 2024
Washington, D.C., October 29, 2024 – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) today announced that its president and CEO James Gelfand has been named one of the top 100 lobbyists in the U.S. by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE), an organization representing lobbying, public policy, and government affairs professionals. Gelfand and other 2024 recipients will be honored on November 7th during a reception in Washington, DC.
The ERISA Industry Committee Requests Additional Technical Guidance from IRS on Matching Contributions for Qualified Student Loan Payments
Washington, D.C., October 18, 2024 – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) today applauded the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for issuing Notice 2024-63, interim guidance implementing Section 110 of the SECURE 2.0 Act with “Respect to Matching Contributions Made on Account of Qualified Student Loan Payments” (Notice).
The ERISA Industry Committee Calls for Improvements to Proposed Rules Implementing Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
Washington, D.C., October 2, 2024 – The ERISA Industry Committee (“ERIC”) this week, submitted public comments on proposed regulations (Proposed Rules) from the Maine Department of Labor aimed at implementing the state-administered paid family and medical leave insurance program enacted last year. ERIC’s public comments focus on the need to streamline state program requirements, provide clarity to help employers comply, and protect employers’ ability to design and provide generous paid leave benefits.
ERIC Applauds Governor Newsom’s Veto of Prescription Drug Bill that Violated Federal Law
Washington, D.C., October 2, 2024 – Today, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) veto of SB 966, a bill regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). While ERIC supports reform of PBMs, ERIC had previously cautioned lawmakers and Governor Newsom that the CA legislation could overstep state authority by directly impacting the design and administration of plans covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The statement is attributable to Dillon Clair, Director of State Advocacy, ERIC.
The ERISA Industry Committee Calls on Congress to Close Loophole and Deem PBMs as a “Fiduciary” under ERISA
Releases new issue brief detailing how reform would require PBMs to act in the best interest of patients and help keep health insurance costs low
Leading Healthcare Stakeholders Respond to Administration Change to Mental Health Parity Act
Washington, D.C., September 9, 2024 – AHIP, the Association of Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), and The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) react to the Tri-Departments’ final mental health and substance use disorder parity rule released today.
ERIC Statement on Release of Mental Health Parity Act
Today, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s changes to mental health and substance use disorder parity regulations under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA). The statement is attributable to Melissa Bartlett, Senior Vice President of Health Policy for ERIC.
ERIC Statement on IRS Guidance for Matching Contributions Made on Account of Qualified Student Loan Payments
Washington, D.C., August 19, 2024 – Today, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) issued the following statement regarding today’s release by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of Notice 2024-63, implementing Section 110 of the SECURE 2.0 Act. The statement is attributable to Andy Banducci, Senior Vice President for Retirement and Compensation Policy.