Articles and Blogs

COVID-19

Wisconsin Courts Cannot Compel Providers to Give Treatments Below the Standard of Care

[06/22/22]

Posted on June 22, 2022 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

On May 25, 2022, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals reversed the circuit court’s ruling which granted an injunction compelling a Wisconsin health system to administer Ivermectin to a patient with COVID-19. The appellate court found that the circuit court erred in granting the injunction because the Petitioner could not identify any viable legal claim... READ MORE

Tags: , ,

OSHA Requests Comments and Will Hold Hearing on Its ETS Standard

[04/05/22]

Posted on April 5, 2022 in HR Insights for Health Care

Published by: Hall Render

In June of 2021, OSHA published an Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) in order to protect health care and health care support service workers from exposure to COVID-19 while at work. The ETS took immediate effect, though at the time, OSHA requested comments on the specifics of the ETS, including whether it should become permanent.... READ MORE

Tags: , ,

A Patchwork of Injunctions and Other Rulings on the CMS Vaccine Mandate: Where Do We Stand?

[12/16/21]

Posted on December 16, 2021 in Health Law News, HR Insights for Health Care, Litigation Analysis

Published by: Hall Render

On November 30, 2021, a federal district court in Louisiana granted a nationwide injunction against the implementation of CMS’s Interim Final Rule requiring vaccines (“IFR”) for employees and providers at most health care facilities. The government promptly appealed that injunction. The Fifth Circuit has not yet ruled on the merits but on December 15... READ MORE

Tags: , ,

OSHA Issues Vaccine Mandate for Employers

[11/04/21]

Posted on November 4, 2021 in Health Law News, HR Insights for Health Care

Published by: Hall Render

On November 4, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) released its highly anticipated new Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”) requiring companies with 100 or more employees to mandate vaccination of their employees. In addition to the OSHA ETS, CMS simultaneously released its Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) regarding COVID-19 vaccination for covered facilities that receive... READ MORE

Tags: , , , ,

CMS Issues Vaccine Mandate for Health Facilities

[11/04/21]

Posted on November 4, 2021 in Health Law News, HR Insights for Health Care

Published by: Hall Render

On November 4, CMS released its Interim Final Rule (“IFR”) requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals working in Medicare- and Medicaid-participating facilities, as well as individuals working in certain other settings involving face-to-face interactions with patients.  The IFR requires all clinical and non-clinical personnel working within a Medicare and Medicaid participating facility or other applicable... READ MORE

Tags: , ,

Employee Time Spent on COVID-19 Safety: Pay, Pay, Pay Away

[07/21/21]

Posted on July 21, 2021 in HR Insights for Health Care

Published by: Hall Render

Hall Render recently published articles (see here and here) on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”), which includes requirements that apply specifically to health care employers. Implementation of those standards will involve some or many employees in tasks related to COVID-19 safety at the beginning and end of their shifts, including screening and donning/doffing protective... READ MORE

Tags: , , , , ,

Health Care Employers Face OSHA’s New COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

[06/11/21]

Posted on June 11, 2021 in HR Insights for Health Care

Published by: Hall Render

On Thursday, June 10, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) as part of its National Emphasis Program on COVID-19. In a surprise to some, the ETS is limited to certain types of health care workplaces. OSHA also issued separate voluntary guidance for non-health care industries. Which health care... READ MORE

Tags: , , , ,

How Judicious Facility Management May Reduce COVID-19 Liability Risk

[04/15/21]

Posted on April 15, 2021 in Health Law News, HR Insights for Health Care

Published by: Hall Render

As COVID-19 cases stay relatively low and the number of vaccinated individuals continues to increase, health providers are faced with a new normal for operating medical office space in a safe and sanitary manner. In order to avoid potential liability from tenants, patients and other visitors, medical office landlords should update facility management plans... READ MORE

Tags: , ,

DOJ Combats COVID-19 Fraud at “Unprecedented Pace and Tempo”

[04/06/21]

Posted on April 6, 2021 in Health Law News

Published by: Hall Render

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

Tags: , , ,

New OSHA Enforcement Efforts Target Health Care Employers

[03/30/21]

Posted on March 30, 2021 in HR Insights for Health Care, Long-Term Care, Home Health & Hospice

Published by: Hall Render

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

Tags: , ,