Business

April 17, 2025

One-quarter of Federal Spending in FY 2024 Was on Health Care

A KFF analysis found that $1 of every $4 in the federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 (Oct. 1-Sept. 30) was used to pay for health programs and services. The government spent $1.9 trillion (27%) on health care programs and services, while other large spending categories included Social Security (21%), national defense (13%) and interest payments...

April 15, 2025

Mitigating VPN Vulnerabilities

A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of technology that uses an encrypted connection to route internet traffic through a remote server, granting a user access to certain digital services while masking their online activity. Connecting to a VPN establishes a safe tunnel between a user’s device and the internet, making it seem as...

April 11, 2025

Mental Health Care Benefits Strategies

In today’s work environment, employees are increasingly grappling with common mental health challenges such as burnout, stress and anxiety, as well as other diagnosable mental health disorders and conditions. These issues not only affect personal well-being but also impact workplace productivity and morale. While creating a healthy workplace culture, equipping managers to support workers and...

April 8, 2025

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on ACA’s Mandate for Free Preventive Care

On April 21, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a pivotal legal dispute regarding the constitutionality of a key component of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care mandate. The Court’s decision in this case, Kennedy v. Braidwood Management Inc., will impact the requirement for health plans and health insurance issuers...

April 3, 2025

April Marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The National Safety Council designates April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This annual campaign is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage drivers to minimize potential distractions behind the wheel. Distracted Driving Overview The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines distracted driving as any activity that may divert a...

April 1, 2025

The Critical Role of Employee Feedback in Developing Benefits Packages

In today’s competitive labor market, offering the right benefits package can make all the difference in attracting and retaining top talent. While employers often focus on benchmarking against industry standards or following trends, one of the most effective tools for building meaningful benefits programs is something much closer to home: employee feedback. Why Employee Feedback...

March 20, 2025

4 Reasons to Provide Employees with Ergonomic Furniture

Creating a workplace where employees feel valued and supported goes beyond offering competitive salaries and benefits. The right furniture can enhance comfort and have far-reaching impacts on safety, efficiency, and overall employee satisfaction. If you want to build a workspace that promotes well-being and success, consider these reasons to provide your employees with ergonomic furniture....

March 18, 2025

Navigating a Growing Array of Benefits Options

In today’s labor market, offering a robust benefits package is essential for employee attraction, retention and well-being. The rise of voluntary benefits to supplement mainstays such as health insurance, 401(k) and leave has resulted in more than 150 available options on the market for employers to consider. As such, it can be daunting for employers...

March 13, 2025

Cal/OSHA Amends Residential Construction Fall Protection Standard

California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) has amended its fall protection standards in residential construction and roofing. The amendments include making the fall protection height standard 6 feet instead of 15 feet, making it more uniform to align with federal OSHA standards, and removing the term “impractical” and replacing it with “infeasible” within certain fall protection requirements. This...

March 4, 2025

Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges in the Health Care Industry

Health care providers have been increasingly utilizing technology and turning to digitization. Innovations such as telehealth, artificial intelligence (AI), digital billing systems and connected devices continue to reshape the industry. Although technological advancements provide several key benefits and can enhance patient care, they create additional cybersecurity exposures. They also expand the attack surface for cybercriminals...