On April 12, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released a proposed rule implementing the comparative effectiveness research fee, which was enacted under the PPACA to fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (“Institute”). The Institute will conduct research to evaluate and compare health outcomes, and the clinical effectiveness of various medications, treatments, and medical services. […]
On March 19, 2012, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury jointly issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) providing additional guidance on the PPACA’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage (“SBC”) requirement. Group health plans must begin providing the SBC, which includes a four page summary of the plan’s material […]
A federal judge approved Oct. 11 a $42 million settlement between JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a class of approximately 3,800 loan processors regarding overtime pay claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state law (Davis v. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., W.D.N.Y., No. 01-6492, final approval of settlement 10/11/11). Judge David Larimer of […]
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held Nov. 12 that a petition filed by an Interna- tional Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local complied with electronic filing procedures and satisfied the requirement that the National Labor Relations Board be served with a petition ‘‘stamped by the court with the date of filing’’ (Local […]
Bullying in the workplace is not a new phenomenon. However, in recent years much attention has been paid to workplace bullying and the problems it poses for employees and employers alike. In the unionized workplace, there is, of course, another party involved: the union. This paper addresses some of the union’s rights and responsibilities with […]
On February 9, 2012, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury released a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions (“FAQs”) relating to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (“PPACA”) requirements for automatic enrollment, employer shared responsibility, and the 90-day limitation on waiting periods for health coverage. The PPACA originally required employers with […]
On August 1, 2011, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued an interim final rule under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring non-grandfathered health plans to cover a wide range of women’s preventive services without cost-sharing (including, co-insurance, co-pays, and deductibles). Theses services include well-woman visits, contraception, breastfeeding […]