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In a dispute over reimbursements for COVID-19 testing and related services, a district court concluded that the coverage mandates under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) did not create a private right of action. The court therefore dismissed claims by health providers alleging that a health plan's insurer violated the FFCRA and Cares Act by failing to reimburse COVID-19-related testing services provided to plan participants. However, the court permitted the providers' related benefit claims against the insurer under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to proceed.

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As the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus struck communities nationwide in summer and fall of 2021, many companies stepped up their vaccine requirements, mandating that some or all employees get vaccinated or provide proof of vaccination, many doing so even before President Joe Biden announced the government's own mandates for American workers.

The Biden administration's vaccine mandate for federal contractors is currently on hold, while another for certain health care workers remains in place. The government's mandate for large businesses with 100 or more employees was blocked by the Supreme Court in early January and formally withdrawn by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Jan. 25.

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Oklahoma’s public safety agencies are struggling to find enough workers and officials hope to address the problem this year with pay raises, recruitment programs and mental health support services, according to agency budget presentations heard by state lawmakers last week.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is losing troopers to other law enforcement agencies with higher pay and seeing a rise in retirements due to mental health issues. 

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As skyrocketing COVID-19 cases deplete schools and max out hospitals, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he authorized employees of state agencies to substitute teach to stave off pandemic-related school closures.

The governor announced an executive order on Tuesday authorizing state agencies to allow their employees to substitute in public schools. Just under 32,000 people work for the state of Oklahoma.

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The email chains and phone calls among tribal leaders and lawyers started soon after President Joe Biden announced a sweeping plan Thursday to vaccinate millions of people against COVID-19.

Large private employers must require employees to get vaccinated or face frequent tests. Federal employees, federal contractors and staffers of many health care facilities must also get vaccinated.

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Defined benefit plans that are qualified, have ever been qualified, or have ever been determined by the IRS to be qualified are subject to the minimum funding standards of IRC Section 412. The minimum required contribution for a single-employer defined benefit plan (other than a CSEC plan) is determined under IRC Section 430. IRC Section 4971 imposes excise taxes on unpaid minimum required contributions. Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) also contains minimum funding standards.

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Despite rising case numbers in the United States amid the emergence of the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, a sense of normalcy has returned to most parts of the country in recent months.

The economy, despite inflation concerns, has rebounded and more employers are welcoming workers back to the office. This, however, has also led to a white-hot jobs market that’s seen many people wave goodbye to their employer in lieu of greener pastures.

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Yesterday (April 7), the Department of Labor issued a series of frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) regarding the COBRA provisions of the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (“ARP”) – along with four model COBRA notices. The FAQs clarify a number of issues. Employers need to take action right now. CLICK HERE to read more.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that amounts paid by individuals for certain personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer—for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 (the disease that results from SARS-CoV-2)—are treated as expenses incurred for medical care under Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d) (Announcement 2021-7 (Mar. 26, 2021)). Accordingly, these amounts may be deductible under the Code or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs).

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The IRS has issued COVID-19-related guidance that extends certain compliance deadlines relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) (Notice 2021-21 (Mar. 29, 2021)). The guidance also extends the deadline by which individuals must file their 2020 federal income tax returns.

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