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.

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control
The Department of Health and Human Services is refusing to allocate funds meant to support state and local healthcare initiatives, as the money stemmed from now-defunct COVID-19 control efforts. A coalition of municipalities is suing to lift the block.
Mangione enters plea of 'not guilty' as federal trial moves forward
Luigi Mangione has officially entered a plea in the indictment against him for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The federal case is now expected to move forward before the overlapping state murder trial, as the Department of Justice is seeking the death penalty.
Gov. DeSantis accused of diverting $10M in Medicaid funds to charity run by wife
The Florida governor claims the money was not part of a settlement the state made with Centene, and that the insurer donated the cash as a “cherry on top.”
Owner of home healthcare company gets 14 months for defrauding COVID programs
Nakita Cannady, 49, was also convicted of defrauding Cigna to the tune of $194,000, billing the insurer for patient care hours her providers never filled.
Supreme Court likely to uphold ACA preventive care provision, analysts say
According to multiple reports, the majority of justices appeared to be leaning toward siding with the government, which argues that members of HHS's Preventive Services Task Force have the legal authority under the Constitution to determine which treatments are covered as 'preventive' under the Affordable Care Act.

DOJ investigating Steward Health Care over ties to foreign government

Citing two sources familiar with the matter, journalists at CBS News said the health system is suspected of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. No charges have been filed.

Frank Pollaro, a 55-year-old cardiologist from Long Island, New York, has admitted in court to possessing child pornography. Pollaro was already a registered sex offender after being convicted for the same crime in 2016.

New York cardiologist, already a sex offender, admits to possessing child pornography

The 55-year-old cardiologist was allowed to continue practicing cardiology after his first conviction in 2016. Now, he is losing his license and faces up to eight years in prison.

Former Georgia insurance commissioner sentenced to prison for $3M fraud scheme

John Oxendine has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to file claims for bogus lab tests.

Cardiologist’s sexual assault trial, set to begin after 4-month delay, will not be televised

The trial of Stephen Matthews, the Denver cardiologist accused of drugging 11 women and sexually assaulting nine of them, is expected to start July 12 after a lengthy delay. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

State attorneys general send warnings of Change Healthcare breach, urge residents to respond

Several state attorneys general have issued notices to residents regarding the Change Healthcare breach, asking them to sign up for credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

noncompete contract clause employment pen sign

Federal judge issues partial halt to FTC ban on noncompetes

A full court hearing to determine the fate of the FTC ban on noncompete clauses will be scheduled before Aug 31. For now, a judge has issued a preliminary injunction.

Change Healthcare notifies patients their medical records may have been taken in breach

A HIPAA notification posted to the company’s website said details about patients’ diagnoses and treatments may have been stolen by hackers.

Baylor, others paying $15M over DOJ allegations they ‘gambled’ with heart patient health

According to a whistleblower, multiple Texas healthcare providers put complex heart surgeries in the hands of unqualified trainees without proper supervision. The $15M being recovered is the largest amount ever for a case of this kind.

Legal News

HHS sued over RFK’s $11B cuts to infectious disease control

Mangione enters plea of 'not guilty' as federal trial moves forward

Gov. DeSantis accused of diverting $10M in Medicaid funds to charity run by wife

Owner of home healthcare company gets 14 months for defrauding COVID programs

Supreme Court likely to uphold ACA preventive care provision, analysts say