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.

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With pro bono legal help, hospital workers ‘send union bosses packing’

Employees at a 130-bed hospital whose home state lacks right-to-work protections are now free to work without having to join a powerful union that had sought to represent them. 

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FTC warns Tennessee of coming price hikes if it rushes to remove restrictions on hospital chain

The state legislature is mulling over the passage of two bills: one that would eliminate Ballad’s status as a protected monopoly, and another that would remove the Certificate of Need, a barrier that forces healthcare entities to submit expansion proposals to regulators for approval. The issue, the FTC says, is related to timing. 

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Healthcare agencies mellow on medical cannabis as CMS launches Medicare hemp pilot

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services unveiled a new program for alternative payment model participants that would allow clinicians to use products containing CBD as part of patient care plans. In response, the Food and Drug Administration vowed not to further restrict the sale of oral hemp products.

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Connecticut hospital accused of running ‘fake’ telehealth ICU that led to man’s death

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is accused in a lawsuit of not staffing an overnight physician in an intensive care unit. It’s alleged that the remote care coordination caused delays that led to the death of 26-year-old Conor Hylton, who was experiencing emergency seizure-like symptoms.

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Cardiologist was fired for speaking out about racist texts, private jet misuse, lawsuit claims

An interventional cardiologist believes he was targeted and terminated for being outspoken about a series of incidents at his hospital. 

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Hospital sues cardiology practice for alleged breach of contract, ending years-long partnership

The cardiovascular care of thousands of Missouri patients is suddenly up in the air. The heart of the issue is a practice's alleged interest in opening up a new private equity-backed clinic.  

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Lawsuit against Elevance Health alleging use of ‘ghost networks’ officially moving forward

On Tuesday, a judge formally rejected a motion by the company to have the case dismissed. Carelon Behavioral Health, a subsidiary of Elevance, is accused of publishing an inaccurate directory of providers for those seeking mental health services.

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Over 130 hospitals sue HHS over changes to the DSH payment calculation that could cost facilities billions

In total, 131 hospitals are acting as plaintiffs. They’re asking a court to throw out 2023 changes to the Disproportionate Share Hospital calculation that altered the way Medicare Advantage and Social Security income were factored into the risk-adjusted payments hospitals receive for caring for vulnerable patient populations.