State health-related legislation and regulations in Q4 2024 tackled paid family and medical leave, prescription drugs, telehealth and more.

More than one-third of all states have some form of accrued paid leave requirement; 18 states (including three with laws that take effect in 2025) and Washington, DC, require paid sick leave, with three other states requiring accrued paid time off that can be used for any reason.

Mercer projects 2026 inflation-adjusted amounts for health savings accounts, high-deductible health plans and excepted-benefit health reimbursement arrangements will increase from 2025 levels.