The Kaiser Family Foundation has released their 2019 Annual National Employer Benefits Survey. The survey has been tracking benefit statistics from private and non-federal public employers in the United States for the last 21 years. 

President Trump signed a budget deal on the 20^th of December. Some highlights included expanded parental leave for federal workers, a newly-created Space Force, an increase in the smoking age, and border wall funding. The deal also contained a major repeal of health care taxes and fees.

At Fall River we’re always keeping our eyes on hot topics in the benefits world. As 2019 closes out, we are bringing you news on three potential developments: legislation preventing surprise hospital bills, the Texas v U.S. court case regarding the validity of the ACA, and the potential for a paid parental leave policy for federal workers. 

It’s been quite an eventful year for legislators both at the Colorado Capitol and in Washington, DC. Though Congress has been largely unable to pass any comprehensive legislation addressing healthcare or employment concerns in 2019, the Colorado Legislature was busy this year working on several must-know laws which could impact your business. 

Most HR professionals are aware that the ACA’s individual mandate no longer exists, meaning that most Americans will no longer need to verify on their 2019 tax return that they had health insurance. Not all are aware, however, that there are five states plus the District of Columbia where your employees ARE still subject to their state or District’s individual mandate, most of which are new in the last year.