From a for-profit hospital operator fighting a securities fraud lawsuit to a Florida health system sued for defamation, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. CHS fights securities fraud case: 'There is not a whiff of evidence'
Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems and Quorum Health say there is no evidence to support a lawsuit brought by shareholders alleging Quorum's stock was trading at an inflated price after its spinoff from CHS due to the companies concealing financial information.
2. HCA wins bid to dismiss ER 'cover charge' suit
A federal judge dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare billed emergency room patients for an undisclosed "cover charge."
3. Florida health system accused of forging letter to defame competitor's board members
A complaint filed Jan. 31 accuses Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First, one of its executives and an advertising firm of defaming board members of Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla.
4. Kentucky Hospital Association asks to join lawsuit defending certificate of need law
The Kentucky Hospital Association wants to join a lawsuit protecting the state's certificate of need law.
5. Former Outcome Health exec settles with SEC over fraud allegations
Ashik Desai, former chief growth officer of healthcare technology startup Outcome Health, settled a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleging he had joined several former coworkers in defrauding clients to the tune of $487 million.
6. Owners of telemedicine companies charged in $56M Medicare fraud scheme
Reinaldo Wilson and Jean Wilson, the owners of telemedicine companies Advantage Choice Care and Tele Medcare, were charged in an indictment unsealed Feb. 4 for allegedly spearheading a $56 million healthcare fraud scheme.
7. Failed nursing home chain stole from employees, class-action suit says
Five former Skyline Healthcare employees filed a class-action lawsuit against the failed nursing home operators, claiming the company fraudulently took funds from employees' paycheck.