Week of September 22, 2023 | SSG Insights

Affirmative Action in Employment After the Supreme Court’s Decision for Higher Education

On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Students for Fair Admissions v. President & Fellows of Harvard College (SFFA), that certain “race-conscious” affirmative action programs violate the U.S. Constitution. This Compliance Insight discusses how the same general principles apply to employers under Title VII of the Civil Rights and provides trips on Title VII compliance for employers that have programs to advance workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Industry Impact of Medicare Drug Price Negotiations

The Biden administration recently unveiled the first 10 prescription drugs subject to Medicare price negotiations, with the new prices becoming effective in 2026. Over the next four years, Medicare plans to negotiate prices for up to 60 Part D and Part B drugs—and up to an additional 20 drugs every year after that. This insight outlines the potential impacts of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program on the health care industry.

Legal Considerations for Gender-Affirming Care

Since 2021, more than 30 states have passed legislation aimed at gender-affirming care. While the laws governing gender-affirming care continue to develop and evolve, federal courts have provided guidance for employers to help evaluate their policies for health care coverage of gender-affirming care. This insight provides a broad overview of gender-affirming care and coverage considerations for employers to help navigate the developing legal landscape.

Best Practices for a Successful Open Enrollment

Attend our upcoming October webinar to learn best practices to implement and pitfalls to avoid during this year's open enrollment period.