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Growth in what employers spent on premiums slowed, and overall health spending slowed even more.

"If health insurance premiums rise faster than wages and general inflation, small employers are likely to face intensified financial strain, which could accelerate the erosion of health plan sponsorship among firms with fewer than 100 workers," said Paul Fronstin, Ph.D., director of health benefits research for the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education announced wage garnishment practices are back on hold, as the administration revamps student loan repayment plans, efforts that are expected to be finalized this summer.

The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals said registered nurses and other health care professionals plan to strike at more than two dozen Kaiser Permanente hospitals and clinics in California and Hawaii on Jan. 26.

“At a time when health care costs continue to soar, we are taking a stand against insulin price manipulation and fraud,” said Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.

The ERISA Litigation Reform Act, introduced by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., is intended to curb meritless class-action lawsuits by clarifying the pleading standard applicable to ERISA-prohibited transactions claims.