Articles and Blogs

In a press release issued on March 26, 2021 (“Press Release”), the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that immediately after Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, the DOJ created an elaborate network to protect the integrity of the $2.2 billion economic relief package. Working with myriad enforcement partners, the... READ MORE

In a recent opinion, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed whether the False Claims Act’s (“FCA”) anti-retaliation provision applies to actions taken against an individual after employment ends. Splitting with its sister appellate court, the Tenth Circuit, the Court compared the FCA’s anti-retaliation provision to a similar anti-retaliation clause in Title VII of... READ MORE

NATIONAL 42 women making moves in healthcare leadership 6 big ideas in healthcare innovation 26% of US COVID-19 cases traced to UK variant, CDC director says AHA wants HHS to issue waivers to 340B hospitals All 50 states now have expanded or will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and up Allscripts CEO... READ MORE

On March 26, 2021, Governor Evers signed Assembly Bill 125 into law as Wisconsin Act 23 (“Act 23”) and significantly updated laws related to the licensure, regulation and the practice of physician assistants (“PAs”) in Wisconsin. The regulatory changes aim to improve access to quality medical services for Wisconsin patients by reducing barriers for... READ MORE

Effective March 23, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) is lifting the most recent 30-day limitation for hospital surveys and allowing State Survey Agencies (“SSAs”) to resume survey activity in accordance with CMS’s Non-Long Term Care Guidance. CMS suspended survey activity for certain non-emergency state survey inspections in March 2020 due... READ MORE

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has announced several fines and citations for violations against health care providers. Violations have included failing to provide training on the proper use of a respirator and personal protective equipment, and the failure to report injury, illness or fatality. And this may be just the beginning.... READ MORE

NATIONAL 9 numbers that illustrate Amazon’s expansion into healthcare 9 hospital construction projects worth $1B+ A breakdown of 10 recent CMS actions A year fighting a global pandemic leaves US hospitals in shambles, new report finds Report linked HERE Amazon Care is a big deal – here’s why AstraZeneca says its vaccine was 79%... READ MORE

As previously discussed here, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”), contains a number of benefits for American workers and their families that employers will need to understand. An immediate concern is a provision for subsidized COBRA continuation coverage for employees and family members who experience a loss of group health plan coverage... READ MORE

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “ARP”) into law on March 11, 2021. Included in the massive $1.9 trillion relief package was an additional $8.5 billion for rural hospitals and providers. The $8.5 billion creates a new relief fund for certain eligible rural health care providers (“Rural Relief Fund”).... READ MORE

NATIONAL 41 States Settle with AMCA Over 2019 Data Breach Affecting 21M Patients Amazon expanding Amazon Care telemedicine program nationally: 6 details Amazon to soon launch telehealth offering in all 50 states, report says Biden to states: Open vaccine eligibility to all adults by May CMS boosts reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccine administration CMS’ nursing... READ MORE