An Idaho federal court has resolved the tension between that state’s restrictive abortion law and the federal Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) in favor of a hospital system’s obligation to stabilize pregnant patients even if that care includes
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Hospital Leaders: Are You Fully Prepared For the Rising Wave of H-1B Onsite Inspections in Healthcare Systems Nationwide? Let’s Ensure Your Facilities Are H-1B Compliant!
In recent months, hospitals and healthcare systems across the country have seen an increase in random and unannounced worksite inspections by immigration officers, particularly targeting H-1B nonimmigrant worker visa holders. These inspections aim to verify employers’ compliance with H-1B program
Harmonizing Federal and Florida Laws on Prescribing Controlled Substances Through Telehealth
Practitioners who want to prescribe controlled substances via telehealth to patients in Florida must meet the requirements of both federal and state law. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Florida legislature have recently amended the applicable federal regulations
No (Public) Comment: HHS Rescinds Policy on Public Participation in Rulemaking
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently rescinded its policy dating back to 1971 to now allow its agencies and offices to quickly alter certain rules and regulations without public notice and comment. The Nixon-era policy had waived
Blizzard of Executive Orders Signals Trump Administration’s Healthcare Priorities
As harsh winter weather swept the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump commenced his second term by signing a blizzard of Executive Orders (EOs) that span many hot-button issues. Several of the EOs signal President Trump’s agenda for the U.S. healthcare
False Claims Act Enforcement Trends in Healthcare: FY 2024
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released its annual False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement statistics on January 15, 2025, announcing that it had recovered in excess of $2.9 billion from FCA resolutions during Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 (ending September 30, 2024).
Update: Appellate Showdown Over FCA Qui Tam Provision’s Constitutionality Reaches Eleventh Circuit
As we anticipated in our October 17, 2024, blog, both the Government and the Relator have appealed the district court’s decision in U.S. ex rel. Zafirov v. Florida Medical Associates, LLC, et al. (Zafirov), the first case to hold
New Year, New HIPAA Security Rule Requirements? OCR Proposes Sweeping Changes for HIPAA Security Rule To Bolster Cybersecurity
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently proposed a sweeping rewrite of the HIPAA Security Rule that, if finalized, will require that many Covered Entities and their Business Associates (Regulated Entities) invest
Year-End Watch List: Possible Simplification to Employer Group Health Plan Reporting
2024 might almost be over, but the Senate recently passed two bills that are intended to ease at least some employer burdens under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bills, both of which are pending signature by President
Don’t Be Suspicious, Don’t Be Suspicious: New OIG Special Fraud Alert Warns About Suspect Payments in Medicare Advantage Marketing Arrangements
The latest Special Fraud Alert from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) warns about marketing schemes involving questionable payments and referrals among Medicare Advantage plans, health care professionals, and third-party marketers, such as