The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
July 6, 2026
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5 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
H&W Items on Treasury’s 2026 Regulatory Agenda“On Friday, July 3, Treasury posted its regulatory agenda, which includes the following health and welfare-related provisions: Notably, the prior agenda had the following items listed, but they no longer appear on the agenda, even though Treasury has not yet issued the proposed regulations:”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (1) · Health & Welfare Plans (2) · General Benefits (1) · Webinars (1)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
1 item“On Friday, July 3, Treasury posted its regulatory agenda, which includes the following health and welfare-related provisions: Notably, the prior agenda had the following items listed, but they no longer appear on the agenda, even though Treasury has not yet issued the proposed regulations:” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group
Health & Welfare Plans
2 items“After more than two and a half years of deliberation, on June 4, 2026, the Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury Departments (the Departments) issued a Final Rule (the Final Rule) updating the rules governing the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process under the No Surprises Act (NSA).” MORE >>
Source: Davis Wright Tremaine
[General Benefits]
Bipartisan Patients Before Monopolies Act Takes Aim at Pharmacies Owned By Health Insurers and PBMs“The bill would force health insurance companies and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to sell any pharmacies they own. ... a national PBM group claims that prescription drug manufacturers and wholesalers are driving up costs, not PBMs. That group characterizes the legislation as likely to weaken PBMs' ability to negotiate with health insurance companies, employers' self-insured health plans, and others, thereby increasing drug prices for Americans.” MORE >>
Source: Hall Benefits Law
General Benefits
1 item“While a plan sponsor may delegate certain administrative and fiduciary functions, it cannot delegate away its fiduciary responsibilities—or fully eliminate potential liability—under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ... the act of delegation creates an additional fiduciary responsibility—not a release from one. Specifically, the plan sponsor retains a duty to prudently select plan service providers and monitor their performance on an ongoing basis. These obligations are themselves fiduciary functions and cannot be delegated away.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
Webinars
1 item“In recognition of Women’s Retirement Security Day, a national day of action presented by the American Retirement Association, Groom invites you to a special webinar on Tuesday, July 14, from 1:00 p.” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group