A justice on the nation's highest court on Dec. 21 rejected a bid to block New Mexico's mandate requiring that many workers in higher-risk environments — including healthcare settings — be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Legal & Regulatory Issues
Three organizations representing emergency department physicians filed an amicus brief Dec. 17 to support the Texas Medical Association's legal challenge to the federal surprise-billing dispute resolution process.
The American Academy of Emergency Medicine Physician Group filed a lawsuit Dec. 20 against Envision Healthcare, claiming the healthcare services company violated state law by taking over emergency department operations at Placentia (Calif.) Linda Hospital.
Federal COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare workers and employees in other areas continue to face legal challenges and pending court rulings, adding a layer of complexity around the rules.
Aetna, Oscar Health and Wellfleet must pay $3.1 million after allegedly violating federal and New York mental health parity and cost-sharing laws.
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The federal government is allowing greater flexibility around its vaccinate-or-test mandate for larger businesses after a federal appeals court reinstated the rule Dec. 17, according to The New York Times.
The FBI has launched an investigation into COVID-19 vaccines administered by Loretto Hospital at its CEO's church, Block Club Chicago reported Dec. 17.
A federal judge on Dec. 16 reversed Purdue Pharma's $4.5 billion opioid settlement, saying members of the Sackler family could not be granted legal immunity from other opioid lawsuits.
A California physician was found guilty by a federal jury Dec. 16 of scheming to defraud health insurers by submitting fraudulent claims, according to the Justice Department.
President Joe Biden's administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court Dec. 16 to allow the CMS vaccination mandate for eligible staff at healthcare facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs to take effect across the country, Politico and Bloomberg reported.