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Paid Leave Oregon (PLO): APPLICATION PROCESS BEGINS

Oregon employees who work for employers who are participating in Oregon’s state mandated PLO program can apply for benefits starting August 14, 2023, and benefits will be available beginning on September 3, 2023.

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Keeping Up With Clinical Risk Management: Transforming Healthcare Delivery Embracing Virtual Nursing for Staffing Challenges

Healthcare facilities continue to struggle with significant nursing turnover, attempting to backfill and continue operations despite shortages. Some healthcare facilities are finding that pivoting to virtual nursing for certain aspects of patient care could be a potential solution.

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Markets in Focus :: Energy Q3 2023

Property valuations are lagging behind true replacement costs due to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions resulting from the pandemic and inflationary pressures. As a result, underwriters are scrutinizing reported values and making frequent indexed valuation adjustments to protect against under-valuation.

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Gag Clause Attestation Guidance Released

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Human Services (HHS) [collectively, “the Departments”] have released guidance regarding the requirement for employer sponsored health plans and health insurance carriers to submit an attestation of compliance with the gag clause prohibitions contained in The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021.

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Markets in Focus :: Commercial Real Estate Q2 2023

U.S. commercial real estate investment activity is slowing as the nation’s economy slips toward a possible recession. Deal volume will decline 15% this year. In a CBRE survey, 60% of investors indicated they would reduce purchases in 2023, most by more than 10%, while only 15% of respondents stated they would increase their activity.

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The False Claims Act and Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative

It has been a pivotal year in Government Contracting. In the last 18 months, we have seen the creation of the Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative (2021), three significant CCFI suits, and the recent Supreme Court decision to verify the meaning of “knowingly” in an FCA context (June 2023). These factors, combined with DOJ’s interest in hiring […]

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Avoiding the High Cost of Employment Lawsuits: Proactive Measures for Hospitality Businesses

Sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination—if an employee or former employee sued your business due to one of these situations, do you have the correct insurance to pay for your legal defense or the settlement associated with the lawsuit?

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The David-Bacon and Service Contract Acts

The Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), adopted in 1931 and amended many times since, requires construction contractors and subcontractors working under a federal contract valued at $2,000 or more to pay their laborers on that project no less than the local “prevailing wage.”

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HSA Indexing for 2024

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the IRS released 2024 indexing for health savings accounts (HSAs) and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs). Elevated inflation has once again led to significantly increased limits.

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Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Fees Due By July 31, 2023

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to help patients, clinicians, payers, and the public make informed health decisions by advancing clinical effectiveness research. The Institute is funded by the PCORI fee which is imposed upon carriers and employers with self-funded medical plans (including HRAs).

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Markets in Focus :: Hospitality Q2 2023

In 2023, hotel spending is expected to increase nearly 25% compared to 2022, while currently, 75% of restaurant owners are confident they can sustain their business, having previously been in a state of survival/recovery. Read our latest Markets in Focus Hospitality, to learn more.

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Who Benefits from Release of Retainage Bonds?

Between supply chain issues, labor shortages, cybersecurity threats, and economic uncertainty, contractors today must navigate an increasingly complex business environment.

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