Legal News

Stories about physicians and other healthcare professionals involved in lawsuits—as either a plaintiff or a defendant—or accused of breaking the law. Various legal updates or unusual stories in the news may land here.

Hospitals used illegal tactics to prevent patients from seeking low-cost radiology services: DOJ
Authorities claim NewYork-Presbyterian wielded plan restrictions to stop one insurer from steering beneficiaries to other imaging options.
EFF sues CMS over deployment of Medicare prior authorization AI
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit digital civil rights advocacy group, said it filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking more information about the “WISeR” pilot program, which effectively adds a prior-authorization process to traditional Medicare in six states. To date, it’s received no response.
DOJ accuses New York health system of engaging in anticompetitive business practices
In a complaint filed in federal court, the U.S. Department of Justice claims NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital uses its power of “scale, breadth and configuration” to control payer contracts, making it difficult for insurers to develop low-cost plans. The health system denies any wrongdoing.
Patient injected with acid instead of saline earns undisclosed settlement
The disturbing case highlights a series of process errors and cost-cutting measures that ultimately led to the “never event” accident.
Activist investors sue UnitedHealth to force annual reporting on patient care access
Led by a Quebec-based faith organization, a coalition of investors is asking a court to force UnitedHealth to provide details on the social impacts of its history of mergers and acquisitions. The lawsuit comes after the plaintiffs, all company shareholders, failed to get the proposal passed through internal channels. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also opted not to intervene.

Renowned radiologist dies after car crashes into Connecticut River

The doctor was described as a kind, generous, funny and incredibly intelligent man who took joy in caring for others.

600 CDC employees laid off as 700 others mistakenly receive termination notices

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the additional notices were sent in error. A union representing federal workers is challenging the firings, arguing that President Donald Trump lacks the authority to permanently eliminate jobs during a government shutdown.

DOJ says it quickly removed offending social media posts about Luigi Mangione

The posts violated a court order that forbade the agency from commenting publicly on Mangione’s alleged guilt in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The DOJ rejected the notion that the accused’s right to a fair trial was violated.

California passes law to regulate private equity activity in healthcare

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law SB 351, which improves regulatory oversight of dental and physician clinics owned by investment firms.

Florida patient sues hospital, cardiology practice for alleged negligence after leg amputation

The patient alleges she experienced significant delays in care after being rushed to the hospital for acute limb ischemia. She also says no vascular surgeons were available, limiting her treatment options.

money cybersecurity ransomware health IT data breach hacker

Private radiology practice will pay $3.25M to settle class-action lawsuit over cyberattack

Greenville, North Carolina-based Eastern Radiologists is denying any wrongdoing, deciding to settle the matter to avoid protracted litigation.

Missouri state house capitol Jefferson City

Planned Parenthood sues to block Missouri’s request for abortion records

The Missouri attorney general has demanded details on patient care, communications between providers and pregnant women, maintenance records and more in an effort to identify state residents who have sought abortions.

Lisa Miller, JD, former deputy assistant attorney general U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Division, a former principal assistant deputy chief of the DOJ healthcare fraud unit, and now a partner in the legal firm Sidley Austin LLP, explains what the DOJ is looking for in Medicare fraud cases.

What the DOJ looks for to spot healthcare fraud

Former principal assistant deputy chief of the U.S. Department of Justice's Healthcare Fraud Unit, Lisa Miller, explains what the DOJ is looking for in healthcare fraud cases.

Legal News

Hospitals used illegal tactics to prevent patients from seeking low-cost radiology services: DOJ

EFF sues CMS over deployment of Medicare prior authorization AI

DOJ accuses New York health system of engaging in anticompetitive business practices

Patient injected with acid instead of saline earns undisclosed settlement

Activist investors sue UnitedHealth to force annual reporting on patient care access