The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
June 21, 2026
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4 items · ~2 min read
In this issue
ERISA Litigation (2) · Health & Welfare Plans (2)
ERISA Litigation
2 items“66 Franklin Street, Suite 300 Oakland, CA 94607 In Adams v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, No. 24-668-SDD-RLB, 2026 WL 1662073 (M.D. La. June 9, 2026), the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, per Chief District Judge Shelly D.” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
“The court held that the surviving sons could not satisfy the burden of substantial compliance. The critical facts were undisputed: Crane knowingly designated Carta, accessed the portal in November 2022 without submitting any change, texted his intent to remove her in November and December 2022 while taking no action to do so, and increased his coverage in April 2023 without removing her. The court reasoned that nobody could say what Crane did when he accessed the portal, and it would not construct substantial compliance on assumptions.” MORE >>
Source: Roberts Disability Law
Health & Welfare Plans
2 items[Expert Analysis]
Developing CBO asks for more No Surprises research“The No Surprises Act “might not have the effects that CBO anticipated,” the agency wrote in petitioning for more research into the 2020 law’s effects. It’s a welcome development for insurers.” MORE >>
Source: Healthcare Dive
“Employers are considering raising premiums and increasing other forms of cost sharing as they grapple with stubbornly rising health costs, according to a new survey from Mercer.” MORE >>
Source: Healthcare Dive
Also of Note
- Oregon Expands Protections for Immigration Status in the Workplace — “The law creates a clear prohibition on employers' taking adverse action against employees who update—or attempt to update—their "personal information" following a lawful change in work authorization status, effectively recognizing such updates as a protected activity.” (Littler)
- Canada: Federal Update — Equal Pay Provisions in Force Effective October 2026 — “ASAP By Shana French and Cameron Miller Federally regulated employers are facing a significant development under the Canada Labour Code (the “CLC”) with the coming into force of new equal pay provisions on October 20, 2026.” (Littler)
- OhioHealth settles antitrust suit with the DOJ — “OhioHealth has agreed to void problematic contracts with insurers and not seek such terms moving forward, the Justice Department said.” (Healthcare Dive)
- Ninth Circuit: An ERISA Administrator Cannot Rescue a Benefits Denial with a Plan Provision It Never Cited — “In Roggenkamp v. Morgan Stanley Medical Plan, No. 24-7864, 2026 WL 1625357 (9th Cir.” (Roberts Disability Law)
- Benefit cuts may save employers money, but cost them talent — “When health care costs go up, retirement contributions shrink, or paid leave opportunities get scaled back, employees tend to experience that as money out of their own pocket, even if their salary hasn't changed," Peterson said.” (Employee Benefit News)