For employers, an industry player says, coping with a patchwork quilt of 50 different laws would be a nightmare.

If employers want to improve outcomes and control costs, benefit strategies must go deeper and address the realities shaping people’s everyday lives.

Democratic-led states and select blue-leaning cities fought back in court and saw money for public health efforts restored — while GOP-led states sustained big losses.

Some of the major industries which saw happiness levels on the rise included construction, finance, education, technology and health care.