Roundup of selected state health developments, first-quarter 2025 

The first quarter of 2025 witnessed a surge in benefit-related bills, but only a relative few have reached the finish line so far. The fate of most bills will be decided by the end of the second quarter.

Regulatory and judicial activity took center stage. Developments occurred in all four states with pending paid family and medical leave mandates. Michigan’s paid sick and safe leave law underwent additional changes, effective Feb. 21. A federal district court trimmed the scope of Tennessee’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) law under the ERISA preemption doctrine for self-funded plans. A Texas attorney general came to the opposite conclusion on whether two of that state’s PBM laws apply to self-funded ERISA plans.

Insurance departments in California and New York issued rules on artificial intelligence and network adequacy, respectively. Arkansas joined a telehealth compact. Mississippi extended telehealth reimbursement parity requirements.

Massachusetts announced its 2026 minimum creditable coverage standards. New York published its 2025 rates under the Health Care Reform Act.

This GRIST summarizes these and other state health-related developments in the first quarter of 2025.