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July 30, 2026Breaking

The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals

BenefitsWire

Health & Welfare Plans

July 30, 2026

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11 items · ~2 min read

In this issue

Regulatory Action and Guidance (4)  ·  Litigation (2)  ·  General Benefits (4)  ·  Press Releases (1)

Regulatory Action and Guidance

4 items
Developing Proposed Rules Would Update Long-Standing Electronic Disclosure Safe Harbors for Health and Welfare Plans

“The Department of Labor recently issued proposed regulations that would implement sweeping revisions to long-standing electronic disclosure safe harbors for health and welfare plans.” MORE >>

Source: JD Supra

Developing Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: Health Center Program Forms-OMB No. 0915-0285-Revision

“In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, HRSA announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).” MORE >>

Source: Federal Register

Medicare Program; Updates to the Master List of Items Potentially Subject to Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery and/or Prior Authorization Requirements; Updates to the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List; and Updates to the Required Prior Authorization List

The Federal Register announced HRSA's plan to submit an Information Collection Request to OMB for the Health Center Program Forms, seeking public comment on the burden estimate and other aspects of the request. MORE >>

Source: Federal Register

Open Executive Session to Consider the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act

Senate Finance Committee Democrats introduced an amendment to ban IRS tax audit immunity agreements for sitting presidents and extend the statute of limitations for audits, aiming to prevent future corruption. MORE >>

Source: Senate Finance Committee

Litigation

2 items
Roberts Disability Law Defeats Unum’s Attempt to Move ERISA Disability Case: Court Keeps Long-Term Disability Claim in Plaintiff’s Chosen Forum

“Roberts Disability Law, P.C. secured a procedural win for its client in Goldman v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America, No. 3:26-cv-01022-LJC, —F.Supp.3d—-, 2026 WL 2184768 (N.D. Cal. July 21, 2026), where United States Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros denied Unum’s motion to transfer this ERISA long-term disability dispute out of the Northern District of California. The ruling keeps the case in Plaintiff’s chosen forum and reinforces the deference courts owe an ERISA plaintiff’s choice of where to sue.” MORE >>

Source: Roberts Disability Law

Show Your Work: Fifth Circuit Stresses the Importance of Thorough Harassment Investigations

“Quick Hits Factual Background The employee, a Black woman and naturalized U.S. citizen born in Ghana, worked as a registered nurse at the hospital. She was subject to a ninety-day probationary period after hire.” MORE >>

Source: Ogletree Deakins

General Benefits

4 items
Benefits Monthly Minute - July 2026

“The July Monthly Minute highlights the DOL’s new proposed electronic disclosure rule, a significant employer-friendly tobacco-surcharge ruling, and a Seventh Circuit decision reinforcing the importance of express authority in POAs purporting to waive QJSA rights....” MORE >>

Source: JD Supra

Don't lose high performers to burnout, urges NFL player turned leadership speaker

“When he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2008 NFL draft, linebacker Caleb Campbell was dubbed "America's athlete" by an ESPN analyst, but rather than excited, he felt overwhelmed.” MORE >>

Source: Employee Benefit News

From family issue to business issue: The ROI of children's health

“As employers shape their 2027 benefit strategies, one issue sits at the center of the conversation: The cost of healthcare keeps climbing. PwC's latest Medical Cost Trend report projects a 9% increase in employer healthcare costs in 2027, the highest projected increase in 17 years.” MORE >>

Source: Littler

Health and Health Care Experiences of Uninsured Immigrants

“As of 2024, there were about 50 million immigrants residing in the U.S. Within this group, there were 24 million noncitizen immigrants, including lawfully present and undocumented immigrants, and 26 million naturalized citizens, who accounted for about 7% and 8% of the total population, respectively.” MORE >>

Source: KFF

Press Releases

1 item
Announcement of the Intent To Award Single-Source Grants (Multiple Recipients) for Necessary Expenses Directly Related to the Consequences of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian

“ACF/OHS announces its intent to award multiple single-source grants totaling $143,436,162 to select organizations operating a Head Start grant in Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico who demonstrated Head Start services in the affective areas were either disrupted or impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian.” MORE >>

Source: Federal Register

BenefitsWire · A digest for ERISA attorneys, third-party administrators, actuaries, recordkeepers, and benefits consultants.
An informational digest, not legal advice.
BDK2, LLC, 2503D N Harrison St PMB 2091, Arlington, VA 22207-1640

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