Faith-based providers likely to keep pension regulation exemptions

Modern Healthcare:  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday appeared skeptical of arguments that they should subject faith-based health systems to federal pension regulations.The eight justices considered three cases on Monday involving Advocate Health Care, St. Peter's Healthcare System and Dignity Health where federal appeals courts determined the faith-based systems did not qualify for a so-called “church plan” exemption from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. For three decades, the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. have treated faith-based organizations' pension plans as exempt from ERISA.

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