Legal & Regulatory Issues

Scripps Clinical Medical Group in San Diego agreed to pay nearly $6.9 million to settle discrimination allegations over a mandatory retirement age for physicians, according to a Dec. 19 news release from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Indianapolis-based Community Health Network has agreed to a $345 million settlement to resolve allegations that, dating back to 2008, it violated the False Claims Act and Stark law.

McKesson Medical-Surgical filed suit against a former account executive, alleging he used confidential information to attract clients to his new employer, Arkansas Business reported Dec. 18. 

A Pennsylvania pain clinic CEO was sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in a scheme to defraud Medicare and HHS. 

Warwick, R.I.-based Kent Hospital, an affiliate of Care New England Health System, has agreed to a $35,000 settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act following a patient complaint. 

Walnut Creek, Calif.-based John Muir Health is calling off its plans to acquire San Ramon (Calif.) Regional Medical Center from majority owner Tenet Healthcare. 

The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Steward Health Care System and its subsidiaries, alleging violations of the physician self-referral law and submission of false claims to Medicare. 

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice have unveiled their 2023 merger guidelines, which break down the agencies' factors and frameworks that are utilized when going over merger and acquisition approvals. 

Two Miami residents, Jorge Perez and Ricardo Perez, were sentenced Dec. 15 for their roles in a multi-state scheme to defraud insurers by using rural hospitals to bill for urine drug testing.

Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital is refuting claims that it improperly disposed of the remains of five infants, the Boston Herald reported Dec. 16.