Update

On Friday, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would prevent "spread pricing" and increase regulations on PBMs, two days after the Senate unanimously passed its version.

After a federal judge nixed the preventive care requirement under the Affordable Care Act in a March ruling, health insurers said they will continue coverage until appeals are concluded, in a letter to lawmakers.

Federal policy changes may have public health prevention ripple effects – from vaccination to screening rates to workplace flextime so workers can still have access to care – and company policies will now need be reevaluated.

The National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators sent a letter to the IRS and the Treasury, urging clarification on age-60 catch-up contributions and plan participation for part-time workers.

Employers need to ensure that employees are informed about changes to their health benefits, regarding COVID testing and vaccines, and offer coverage to those affected by the suspension of Medicaid dis-enrollments.

Under the current language of the proposed rule, the ban would apply retroactively, so employers would have to notify current and former employees that the agreement is no longer valid.

The bipartisan pharmacy benefit manager bill, which was approved by a Senate committee, would make it illegal to charge health plans and payers more for a prescription drug than what PBMs reimburse to the pharmacy.

When the public health emergency ends on May 11, it will institute sweeping changes across the health care system, from hospitals and testing labs to treatment for people recovering from addiction.