US Labor Department withdraws proposed rule on definition of a welfare benefit plan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced its intention to withdraw the proposed regulation on the definition of a welfare benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act from review by the Office of Management and Budget.

The regulation was submitted to the OMB for review before the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The proposed regulation was intended to address issues relating to state health care efforts and their effect on the maintenance of ERISA-covered welfare plans. With the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the department has decided to review whether and to what extent further regulation in this area is necessary or appropriate in light of a national health care reform program.

The department will be requesting OMB to return the proposed regulation to the department for further review and consideration.