State capitols across the country have been busy in the first quarter of 2023, grappling with vacations, health insurance, prescription drug pricing and more. New laws in Arkansas and Tennessee allow family vacation insurance. Starting in 2024, Illinois now requires all workers to take paid leave for any reason. A recent San Francisco ordinance enacted paid military leave, and two cities in Puerto Rico and Minnesota revised existing paid leave laws. Seattle’s new ordinance provides paid sick and safety leave benefits for gig workers. Several parts of California have expired mandatory vacation due to COVID-19. Access to telemedicine is gaining traction in several states, including Idaho, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming. More than six states have passed prescription drug laws, including insulin cost caps in Washington and West Virginia. Illinois and New York were among the states that imposed insurance coverage requirements. North Carolina has expanded its Medicaid program recognized under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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