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President Joe Biden has extended access to health insurance under the Affordable Care Act to undocumented US residents who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This change aims to address the lack of health insurance among about one-third of DACA recipients, also known as "Dreamers." The Department of Health and Human Services expects 100,000 people to sign up for healthcare plans. While the move has been criticized by the Trump campaign, Biden's administration believes it is important to provide healthcare to Dreamers, who are considered part of the American fabric. The new rule will take effect on November 1, just before the US presidential election. [Extracted from the article]

Two initiatives aimed at limiting health care costs in Switzerland are expected to pass in a national vote next month, according to a preliminary poll. The initiatives, proposed by the Social Democrats and the Center Alliance, differ in their approaches but both address the issue of rising health care expenses. The Social Democrats' proposal sets a fixed ceiling for health insurance premiums at 10% of a person's income, while the centrists' proposal links cost increases to wage growth. If passed, it is still unclear how the plans would be implemented, but parliament has already passed backup plans in case of rejection. [Extracted from the article]

DoorDash is launching a benefits program for its delivery drivers in Pennsylvania, providing them with additional money to cover benefits that are typically reserved for full-time employees. Starting in July, DoorDash will make monthly contributions to an individual savings account managed by benefits platform Stride, which can be used for retirement savings or paying off health insurance premiums. To be eligible for the program, drivers must earn at least $1,000 (excluding tips) on DoorDash in the second quarter. This move comes as gig economy companies face increasing pressure to provide better pay and labor benefits to their workers. [Extracted from the article]

DoorDash is piloting a benefits program for its delivery couriers in Pennsylvania, providing support typically reserved for full-time employees while still classifying workers as independent contractors. Drivers who earn at least $1,000 on DoorDash in the second quarter will be eligible to receive deposits equal to 4% of their earnings, which can be used for retirement savings, health insurance premiums, emergency funds, or paid time off. This move comes as gig economy companies face pressure to improve pay and labor benefits for their workers. Stride, the benefits platform partnering with DoorDash, plans to expand these arrangements to other states and cities. [Extracted from the article]

Switzerland is facing a pension-fund deficit due to an aging population, and there are two proposals to address this issue. One proposal, supported by Andri Silberschmidt of the Free Democrats, aims to raise the retirement age by one year to 66 by 2033 and adjust it according to life expectancy. However, this proposal is not popular among voters. The other proposal, backed by labor unions, suggests a 13th pension payment to boost state retirement funds. This proposal has more support but may still face challenges in passing. The state pension is the main source of income for about 20% of the population, and there are concerns about declining purchasing power. The cost of the additional pension payment is estimated at 4.1 billion francs, which would further strain the pension system. Raising pensions could also discourage people from working beyond the official retirement age. The right-wing Swiss People's Party supports Silberschmidt's proposal as a means to reduce the need for immigrant workers. Switzerland is already experiencing a shortage of workers, and the question of whether employees should work longer is being raised. Despite low support in polls, Silberschmidt remains optimistic about the prospects of his proposal. [Extracted from the article]

The average employer-sponsored health insurance premium for US families rose 7% to almost $24,000 this year, according to an annual KFF survey of more than 2,000 US companies, compared with a 1% increase last year. (Bloomberg) -- Health insurance premiums jumped this year amid a post-pandemic spike in costs of care, adding to the burden on employers and workers as inflation erodes broader buying power. [Extracted from the article]

Gallup respondents have rated Republicans higher than Democrats on the economy for most of the past decade, except for a brief period in 2020, when GOP leaders in Congress were resisting passing additional pandemic relief funding. Americans trusted Republicans on the economy more than Democrats by 14 points, the widest gap the GOP has enjoyed since 1991, according to a September poll. [Extracted from the article]

While productivity has increased and unemployment is low, inflation has cut real wages for two years and will do so again in 2023, the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions said on Friday. This is the first significant pay demand Switzerland has seen since the global inflation surge reached the country last year. (Bloomberg) -- Switzerland's biggest unions are demanding annual raises of 5% throughout all industries as they head into negotiations with employers that start in August. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- South Africa's core inflation rate probably increased at the fastest pace in six years in February, spurred by a sharp rise in health-insurance premiums, Absa Group Ltd. said. "Given elevated concerns about inflation risks currently, the market may initially read such a jump in core CPI inflation as an indication of broadening inflationary pressures", the economists said. [Extracted from the article]

"I see that the paid amounts are higher than the charged amounts in many instances, which means I'm misunderstanding something - I hope", Christin Deacon, a state official who managed the New Jersey health plan contract, wrote in an April 2021 email to Horizon executives. And today, neither the state nor Horizon are saying where that money wound up, leaving open questions about where the state's money went and who may have profited. The state Treasury says those savings mostly relate to claims that are examined before payments are made and are separate from any recoveries the state may make related to Horizon's alleged contract violations. Read more: New Jersey's Disputed $34 Million Insurance Program Failed to Stem Rising Health Costs That same year, a senior state official uncovered new cases where the state continued to pay more than what providers billed. [Extracted from the article]

"Congress has been forced into a position to either intervene in labor negotiations or allow a rail strike that will cripple our economy", the senators wrote in a letter imploring fellow Republicans to vote for the bill. (Bloomberg) -- The Senate passed legislation to avert a crippling US rail strike on an 80 to 15 vote and sent the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature ahead of next week's strike deadline. [Extracted from the article]

Only three Republicans voted for the sick leave measure, which doesn't bode well for it getting enough GOP support in the Senate to pass. "The sick leave provision alleviates some of the concern about intervening", the Michigan Democrat, a staunch labor ally who voted for the bill, said. (Bloomberg) -- The House passed legislation aimed at averting a crippling nationwide US freight rail strike, sending it to the Senate, which could take action as soon as this week. [Extracted from the article]

The vote on the sick leave measure was agreed to after talks between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and progressive House Democrats, who threatened to tie up the legislation. Pelosi and other Democrats can show support for workers getting paid sick leave by voting for the side bill, but they stopped short of including it in the underlying legislation to smooth Senate passage. (Bloomberg) -- The House passed legislation aimed at averting a crippling nationwide US freight rail strike, sending it to the Senate, which could take action as soon as this week. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The House passed legislation aimed at averting a crippling nationwide US freight rail strike, sending it to the Senate, which could take action as soon as this week. The vote on the sick leave measure was agreed to after talks between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and progressive House Democrats, who threatened to tie up the legislation. Pelosi and other Democrats can show support for workers getting paid sick leave by voting for the side bill, but they stopped short of including it in the underlying legislation to smooth Senate passage. [Extracted from the article]

While the state paid extra for an enhanced program designed to create overall savings, Horizon delivered "no more than the services Horizon offers in its typical customer service hotline and website", the letter said. (Bloomberg) -- New Jersey has paid $75 million for a controversial health-cost savings program that's been under fire from unions and was the subject of a contract dispute last year between the state Treasury and its health insurer, a letter from the state's auditor shows. [Extracted from the article]

SEV, the labor union that negotiated the Zurich airport deal, reached an accord last month that offset inflation for the city of Lausanne's bus and subway drivers. (Bloomberg) -- Swiss National Bank policy makers may look with concern at a 4% wage increase just clinched by Zurich Airport ground staff. [Extracted from the article]

Unions representing state and local service, communications and law-enforcement workers filled a courtyard outside the statehouse complex, chanting, "Governor Murphy, hear our call, affordable health care's right for all" and "they gouged us too much before, we won't take it any more." (Bloomberg) -- New Jersey public employees rallied in the state capital Tuesday, demanding that officials delay a contentious vote on increases in workers' health-care premiums of more than 20% for next year. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Senator Joe Manchin, the architect of the Democrats' new tax, climate and drugs bill, made a public pitch to his colleague Kyrsten Sinema to get on board with the legislation, arguing that it doesn't raise taxes. On ABC's "This Week", Manchin cited Sinema's role in the bill's drug-price provisions. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Senator Joe Manchin, the architect of the Democrats' new tax, climate and drugs bill, made a public pitch to his colleague Kyrsten Sinema to get on board with the legislation, arguing that it doesn't raise taxes. On ABC's "This Week", Manchin cited Sinema's role in the bill's drug-price provisions. [Extracted from the article]

The refund request was over the state's claims that Horizon had failed to deliver a money-saving care navigation program. "Our cost-trend targets are included in the state contract and backed by performance guarantees", he said in an email, adding that Horizon met the target for 2020 and expects to meet the target when results are complete for 2021. (Bloomberg) -- Republican lawmakers in New Jersey called Thursday for a special committee to investigate sharp increases in health-care premiums for state workers. [Extracted from the article]

"Our cost trend targets are included in the State contract and backed by performance guarantees", he said in an email, adding that Horizon met the target for 2020 and expects to meet the target when results are complete for 2021. (Bloomberg) -- Republican lawmakers in New Jersey called Thursday for a special committee to investigate sharp increases in health-care premiums for state workers. The refund request was over the state's claims that Horizon had failed to deliver a money-saving care navigation program. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden opened his first State of the Union speech with a call for harsher punishments on the "dictator" Russian President Vladimir Putin, before pivoting to his biggest domestic priorities of combating inflation and lowering drug prices. Biden called Putin a "dictator", and asked the audience to stand to show their support for Ukraine. Inflation Is Job One, Biden Says Biden sought to sympathize with Americans feeling the pain of inflation at the grocery store check-out and gas pump. [Extracted from the article]

While many economists believe the abnormal inflation is due to unprecedented consumer demand following the pandemic shutdowns, Republicans have blamed Biden and his economic policies. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden said his administration's work has begun to alleviate supply-chain disruptions and that higher inflation is a "natural byproduct" of the global economy's recovery from the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Before GameStop, Owens held various senior-level roles at Amazon. (Bloomberg) -- GameStop Corp. ousted its chief operating officer, JennaOwens, seven months after recruiting her from Amazon.com Inc. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The White House is trying to broker a deal to scale back Joe Biden's ambitious economic agenda, weighing liberal policy priorities against centrist concerns about inflation and tax hikes in a recalibration of strategy for the legislation. Biden's aides believe they're making progress toward breaking the deadlock, though a deal will take more time, one White House official said. Former President Donald Trump beat Biden in Slotkin's district last year, and Biden's motorcade route through the town of Howell was lined by large crowds of Trump supporters on Tuesday. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: %AUD; 40005Z@AU; ALLTOP; ASIA; AU; BON; BUSINESS; CHINA; CMD; COS; ECOTOP; FIN; FRX; GLOBALMACR; GOV; INDUSTRIES; MARKETS; NRG; TOP; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAS EN %AUD 40005Z@AU ALLTOP ASIA AU BON BUSINESS CHINA CMD COS ECOTOP FIN FRX GLOBALMACR GOV INDUSTRIES MARKETS NRG TOP WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAS Australia's inflation surged last quarter, joining developed-world counterparts in spiking from 2020's lockdown-induced weakness, though a renewed Covid outbreak is set to damp pressures ahead. Lowe has struggled to return inflation to the 2-3% target during his almost five years at the helm and had been hoping the crisis might tighten the labor market to spark wage-push inflation. QWXPDST0AFB4 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's inflation surged last quarter, joining developed-world counterparts in spiking from 2020's lockdown-induced weakness, though a renewed Covid outbreak is set to damp pressures ahead. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: %AUD; 40005Z@AU; CBA@AU; ALLTOP; ASIA; AU; BON; BUSINESS; CHINA; CMD; COS; ECOTOP; FIN; FRX; GLOBALMACR; GOV; INDUSTRIES; MARKETS; NRG; OIL; TOP; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAS EN %AUD 40005Z@AU CBA@AU ALLTOP ASIA AU BON BUSINESS CHINA CMD COS ECOTOP FIN FRX GLOBALMACR GOV INDUSTRIES MARKETS NRG OIL TOP WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAS Australia's consumer-price growth surged in the three months through June, joining a number of developed economies in recording a jump as a result of lockdown-induced weakness in the corresponding quarter of 2020. "Already higher prices for petrol and a raft of goods in short supply have served to push up inflation expectations. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: %AUD; 40005Z@AU; ALLTOP; ASIA; ASIATOP; AU; BON; BUSINESS; CHINA; CMD; COS; ECOTOP; FIN; FRX; GLOBALMACR; GOV; INDUSTRIES; MARKETS; NRG; TOP; WORLD; WWTOP; WWTOPAS EN %AUD 40005Z@AU ALLTOP ASIA ASIATOP AU BON BUSINESS CHINA CMD COS ECOTOP FIN FRX GLOBALMACR GOV INDUSTRIES MARKETS NRG TOP WORLD WWTOP WWTOPAS Australia's consumer-price growth surged in the three months through June by the fastest pace since 2008, joining a number of developed economies in recording a jump as a result of lockdown-induced weakness in the corresponding quarter of 2020. %AUD, 40005Z@AU, ALLTOP, ASIA, ASIATOP, AU, BON, BUSINESS, CHINA, CMD, COS, ECOTOP, FIN, FRX, GLOBALMACR, GOV, INDUSTRIES, MARKETS, NRG, TOP, WORLD, WWTOP, WWTOPAS. [Extracted from the article]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration will use the PM Cares fund to create a corpus of 1 million rupees ($13,805) per child when they turn 18, the government said in a statement on Saturday. (Bloomberg) -- The Indian government announced measures to support children who have lost both their parents to the pandemic that includes providing them with free education and health insurance. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Health insurer Cigna Corp. said the amount of preventive care received by its members during the first quarter rose to match levels seen before the pandemic began. First-quarter Covid-19 cases slowed more quickly than Cigna had anticipated, and other care increased. [Extracted from the article]

Cigna modestly raised its outlook for full-year revenue and earnings. (Bloomberg) -- Cigna Corp. reported adjusted earnings that beat analysts' forecasts and boosted its profit outlook for the year. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Senate's version of the pandemic-relief plan falls within the limit previously set by Congress for the bill. The CBO had found the House's version to be $31 billion over the limit set under the fast-track process known as reconciliation that Democrats are using to approve the bill with a simple majority in the Senate. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The faster phase-out of stimulus checks in the Senate's version of the pandemic-relief bill saves about $12 billion, according to a nonpartisan estimate. Republicans are using the delaying tactic of demanding a full reading of the bill, and plan amendment proposals to showcase their opposition to the $1.9 trillion bill, which they say is too big. -- Laura Davison Democrats Tweak Aid Bill Before Senate Debate (2:26 p.m.) Senate Democrats were working until the last minute making numerous changes to the House version of the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, with a new version expected to be released in the coming hours ahead of a vote to open debate on the legislation. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Senate Democrats agreed to a raft of tweaks to the version of the pandemic-relief bill passed by the House last week, in a prelude to the upper chamber's debate and voting on President Joe Biden's first signature piece of legislation. The Senate is expected to begin debate as soon as Thursday, with Republicans planning to use delaying tactics and amendment proposals to showcase their opposition to the $1.9 trillion bill, which they say is too big. Democrats Tweak Aid Bill Before Senate Debate (2:26 p.m.) Senate Democrats were working until the last minute making numerous changes to the House version of the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, with a new version expected to be released in the coming hours ahead of a vote to open debate on the legislation. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. House passed President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic-relief plan, spanning $1,400 stimulus checks, enhanced jobless benefits and fresh funding for vaccines and testing. The 219 to 212 House vote was a stark contrast to the previous pandemic relief bills enacted last year, which drew strong bipartisan support as the Covid-19 death toll surged. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump's impeachment trial exposed the political dilemma for Republicans struggling to move past the former president, as a majority of GOP senators show they are unwilling to publicly defy him without knowing how tight a grip he still has on the party's base. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, who voted to acquit the former president, said Trump's actions will make it hard for him to go forward as a leader of the GOP or a candidate for president again in 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The Business (Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, a Seattle institution with eight locations, was founded by Molly Moon Neitzel in 2008. Neitzel and her finance and human resources director, Denise Brown, researched the two main federal emergency loan programs for small businesses: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Pursuing EIDL (Mid-March) After Neitzel and Brown completed their EIDL application for the maximum $2 million amount on March 18, it was thrown out because a new "streamlined" application had been introduced, Brown says. [Extracted from the article]

If you are a pilot, hairdresser or Amazon warehouse worker, braving coronavirus exposure may just be the cost of staying afloat. Some federal agencies, for instance, are requiring crowds of administrative workers to come on sight just to field phone calls, open mail and pick through data on computers. For employers, particularly those who pay health insurance premiums, it's just good business. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called Wednesday for the next round of stimulus legislation to include a full federal subsidy for the private health insurance premiums of workers who lose their jobs during the coronavirus epidemic. Polls Point to Trouble for Trump During Crisis (3:29 p.m.) Joe Biden got some good news on his first day as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee with two polls released Wednesday pointing to trouble for President Donald Trump. In a head-to-head matchup in the Quinnipiac poll, Biden beat Trump 49% to 41%. [Extracted from the article]

Mnuchin said lots of companies will be able to participate through broad facilities for both larger companies like energy firms and Main Street businesses. Benefit: Employee retention tax credit Who is eligible: Companies of all sizes and non-profits forced to close or slow business could be eligible for a refundable tax credit if they keep workers on the job. Companies with more than 100 employees can only claim the tax credit against wages paid to employees with work curtailed by the pandemic. [Extracted from the article]

Two of America's largest health insurers, Cigna Corp. and Humana Inc., said they will waive out-of-pocket costs for patients who need treatment for Covid-19. Health insurers moved earlier this month to lift cost-sharing for Covid-19 diagnostic testing, a practice that was later mandated by Congress for the duration of the public health emergency. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a domestic travel advisory, urging New York, New Jersey and Connecticut residents to avoid non-essential travel. Read story here Domestic Travel Curbs for New York Area (10:12 a.m. HK) The CDC urged residents in the tri-state area to refrain from non-essential travel for 14 days, effective immediately. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a domestic travel advisory, urging New York, New Jersey and Connecticut residents to avoid non-essential travel. Morrison's comments come after the Australian Financial Review reported the government is set to announce a U.K.-style wage subsidy to shuttered businesses that retain workers. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump said he's not putting New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut under quarantine to stop the spread of Covid-19 in those hard-hit areas but will issue a "strong travel advisory." Targeted quarantines would shock the U.S. economy, especially if they involved New York City, the nation's financial center -- the opposite of what Trump has said he wants, Cuomo said. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hyatt Hotels Corp. will furlough or significantly reduce the schedules of two-thirds of its U.S. corporate employees as the company cuts costs with the coronavirus outbreak decimating hotel revenue. Hyatt will fund health insurance premiums for the workers, and employees who aren't sent home will take temporary pay cuts. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hyatt Hotels Corp. will furlough or significantly reduce the schedules of two-thirds of its U.S. corporate employees as the company cuts costs with the coronavirus outbreak decimating hotel revenue. Hyatt will fund health insurance premiums for the workers, and employees who aren't sent home will take temporary pay cuts. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Hyatt Hotels Corp. will furlough two-thirds of its U.S. corporate employees as the company cuts costs with the coronavirus outbreak decimating hotel revenue. Hyatt will fund health insurance premiums for the workers, and employees who aren't sent home will take temporary pay cuts. [Extracted from the article]