Benefit

Justice Department Claims New York’s Policies Benefit Undocumented Immigrants at the Expense of U.S. Citizens

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Washington, D.C. – The Justice Department has formally filed a complaint against the state of New York for what it alleges are unfair policies favoring non-citizens over U.S. citizens. The federal lawsuit claims that New York’s specific laws and practices unjustly prioritize undocumented immigrants in areas such as employment, health care, and housing, thereby discriminating against American citizens. The complaint specifically takes issue with several New York initiatives which allegedly provide enhanced services and opportunities to undocumented immigrants. Among the contested areas is the New York Liberty Defense Project, which offers legal services to immigrants … Read more

Survey Reveals Law Firm Staff Favor Flexible Remote Work as Top Benefit Equal to Salary, Health Insurance

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As the corporate world adjusts to a post-pandemic reality, law firm staff are highlighting the importance of flexible work arrangements, ranking them as essential as salary and medical benefits. This insight comes from the recent 2024 Compensation and Benefits Survey released by the Association of Legal Administrators. The survey illuminates a significant trend in the legal sector, where employees value the ability to blend office and remote work. This preference persists even as the imperative for remote work due to health concerns diminishes, suggesting a permanent shift in work culture preferences among legal professionals. This … Read more

Virginia’s New Law Accelerates Broadband Expansion, Challenges Railroad Hurdles: Rural Areas to Benefit

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RICHMOND, Va. — A new law in Virginia aimed at expediting broadband deployment across railroad tracks has led to multiple legal disputes even as it starts to transform rural connectivity. Since the law’s enactment on July 1, 2023, Virginia’s electric cooperatives have successfully navigated about 37 railroad crossings to enhance internet access in some of the state’s most secluded areas, reports the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives. Previously, negotiations with railroad companies like Norfolk Southern and CSX were fraught with high fees and extensive delays, effectively acting as barriers to broadband expansion, … Read more

Urgent Call for Reform: How Pharmacy Benefit Managers Contribute to Prescription Unaffordability and What States Are Doing About It

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In the United States, the escalating cost of prescription drugs is forcing many to sacrifice essential medications, despite systems in place meant to safeguard affordable access. A crucial player in this scenario is the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), whose role in the healthcare system is pivotal yet fraught with critical issues that need immediate address. PBMs, operating primarily as intermediaries between drug manufacturers and healthcare plans, dictate the availability and price of medications through formularies they control. They negotiate deals with drugmakers and manage pharmacy benefits for various employers and government-initiated health plans like Medicare … Read more