Trump Administration Archives - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG

Reproductive Health Under Trump: What’s New and What’s Next

by Stacey Callaghan, Evie Atwater, Dexter Golinghorst and Caroline Reignley | Apr 1, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

Over the past two months, the second Trump administration has shifted federal policies and priorities regarding abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), contraception, and other reproductive-health-related matters – and it is expected to continue to do so.

Meanwhile, new regulatory developments in this area at the state level are also ongoing. Many states now require that insurance plans provide some combination of fertility benefits, fertility preservation, and coverage for a number of IVF cycles. After July 1, 2025, all large employers in California must provide insurance coverage for fertility treatments, including coverage for unlimited embryo transfers and up to three retrievals.

Read more here.

Price Transparency: A Trump Administration Regulatory Priority

by Jeffrey Davis and Leigh Feldman | Mar 13, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

On February 25, 2025, the Trump administration highlighted one of its priorities in an executive order on price transparency. While the order primarily focuses on enforcing existing price transparency requirements, it also suggests potential changes or expansions, which would necessitate rulemaking. Potential impacts on health plans include the requirement to make detailed pricing information publicly available and to provide an online shopping tool. This tool will allow consumers to see the rates negotiated by their providers and plans, as well as an estimate of their out-of-pocket costs for 500 of the most shoppable items and services.

Read more here.

Federal Court Blocks Trump’s Anti-DEI Executive Orders Nationwide

by Chris Braham, Rachel B. Cowen and Tara Ward | Mar 11, 2025 | Employment

On February 21, 2025, the US District Court for the District of Maryland granted a motion for a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s recent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) executive orders. This decision followed a lawsuit that challenged the orders based on First and Fifth Amendment grounds.

Read more here.

Trump Administration Places DOL’s ESOP Proposals in Regulatory Moratorium

by Ted Becker, Allison Wilkerson, Erin Turley and Myriem Bennani | Feb 25, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Retirement Plans

On January 16, 2025, the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration released two proposed regulations related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). One regulation aims to clarify the valuation process for non-publicly traded employer stock, while the other would provide a safe harbor for transactions involving newly established ESOPs.

However, on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration froze all pending proposals, including the DOL’s ESOP regulations. If finalized, these regulations would dramatically change the landscape for fiduciaries responsible for valuing stock in privately held corporations during transactions with ESOPs.

Read more here.

FAQs for Employers and Federal Contractors on Navigating the DEI Landscape

by Rachel B. Cowen, Stephania Sanon and Tara Ward | Feb 18, 2025 | Employment

Partners in our Employment and Government Contracts Groups recently presented a webinar on President Donald Trump’s executive order (EO) eliminating all affirmative action obligations under EO 11246. Following the webinar, we prepared FAQs to further assist employers and federal contractors in navigating the current landscape.

Access the FAQs.

Understanding the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on DEI and Immigration

by Chris Braham, Rachel B. Cowen, Joseph K. Mulherin, Stephania Sanon and Tara Ward | Feb 14, 2025 | Employment, Labor

On January 20 and 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued executive orders (EOs) rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and accessibility initiatives and advancing his immigration agenda.

In this webinar, members of McDermott’s Employment and Government Contracts Groups provided an explanation of these Trump administration EOs. They unpacked the implications of these orders on the future of DEI initiatives and immigration law compliance to help your organization navigate these changes effectively.

Access the recording and key takeaways here.

Gender-Affirming Benefits: Best Practices for Group Health Plans

by Alden Bianchi, Sarah Raaii and Scott Kenkel | Jan 14, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

Gender-affirming care has become a central topic in US political discussions, significantly affecting employer-sponsored group health plans. Depending on whether they purchase insurance or self-fund their health benefits, group health plan sponsors face different challenges in covering gender-affirming care. In this PlanSponsor article, Alden Bianchi, Sarah Raaii, and Scott Kenkel explore these challenges and share best practices for group health plans to navigate this complex issue.

Access the article.

No Surprises Act Implementation Under the Trump Administration

by Jeffrey Davis and Kristen O'Brien | Jan 2, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The No Surprises Act, a law that ended the practice of “balance billing” by certain out-of-network providers, was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 on December 27, 2020. While the law was passed during President Trump’s first term in office, the Biden administration has been fully responsible for its implementation to date.

In this insight, McDermott+’s Jeffrey Davis and Kristen O’Brien highlight four major areas of No Surprises Act implementation that the Trump administration could decide to focus on in the months following the inauguration.

Read more here.

Post-Election Outlook: Issues to Watch for Pharmacy Industry Stakeholders

by Steven J. Schnelle and Jae Hyun Lee | Dec 10, 2024 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The 2024 election results will create significant tailwinds for Republican legislative and regulatory priorities in US Congress, federal agencies, and state houses across the country. This client alert considers the outlook for pharmacy regulation under the second incoming Trump administration and a unified Republican Congress, as well as state-level pharmacy policies that may advance as Republican public policy momentum builds.

Read more here.

Post-Election Health Policy Priorities

by Debra Curtis and Rodney Whitlock | Dec 5, 2024 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

In this recently recorded webinar, McDermott+’s Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock discuss the outcomes of the 2024 election, potential healthcare policy changes under the new administration and Congress, and the implications of election outcomes on healthcare policy heading into the lame duck session and in 2025.

Access the webinar recording here.

BLOG EDITORS

STAY CONNECTED

TOPICS

ARCHIVES

RECENT POSTS