Category: Legal & Regulatory Issues

Nurse accused of dispensing morphine that led to death

A Utah nurse has been indicted for allegedly distributing and dispensing morphine that led to a person’s death last summer.

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes gets 90-year ban from HHS

HHS has banned Elizabeth Holmes, incarcerated founder of blood-testing company Theranos, from participating in any federal healthcare program for the next 90 years. 

Endeavor to pay $55M to resolve antitrust allegations

Evanston, Ill.-based Endeavor Health, formerly known as NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health, has agreed to pay a $55 million all-cash settlement to resolve antitrust allegations raised after NorthShore’s acquisition of Highland Park Hospital, a competi…

EMTALA-abortion debate heads to Supreme Court: 2 legal updates

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act has emerged as a pivotal issue in the abortion debate, as legal disputes unfold that could hold far-reaching implications for the country, The New York Times reported Jan. 18.

Congress votes to fund government through early March

The House and Senate passed a continuing resolution that will fund federal agencies through early March, The New York Times reported Jan. 18.

Lawmakers to colleagues: Cement CMS' prior authorization changes

A group of lawmakers that has been pushing for Medicare Advantage prior authorization reforms applauded the rule CMS finalized Jan. 17 but said Congress must now “cement these gains into law.” 

Physician sues Virginia medical center over retaliation claims

Chesapeake (Va.) Regional Medical Center is being sued by Timothy Hardy, MD, a gynecologist who alleged that his hospital privileges had been revoked after he made complaints that the center put “economics” before patient care, the Virginian-Pilot repo…

Emory settles malpractice suit after $38M verdict

Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare has settled with the mother of a deceased patient after receiving a $38.6 million medical malpractice verdict — the largest the system has ever faced, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Jan. 17. 

How overturning Chevron deference could affect healthcare

The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority expressed willingness to roll back Chevron deference during hearings on two cases, CNN reported Jan. 17. 

Houston hospital leader ordered to pay $11M, prison time

Syed Rizwan Mohiuddin, former president of United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $11 million in restitution of conspiracy to defraud the federal government, the Houston Chronicle…