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.

Report: DOJ questioning doctors linked to possible Medicare fraud at UnitedHealth

According to the Wall Street Journal, the OIG and FBI are also involved in the DOJ's criminal probe into alleged incidents of upcoding by the Medicare Advantage insurer. UnitedHealth denied any wrongdoing.

doctor in handcuffs after being arrested

Doctor arrested for $5.2M fraud linked to using medical ozone gas on patients

Jawad Bhatti, MD, is facing a 26-count indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice after he allegedly advertised the use of ozone gas as a treatment for pain, then billed Medicare and Medicaid for the unapproved procedures.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are rare in sports cardiology—but they can cost providers millions

When doctors are accused of mishandling the heart health of a young athlete, it occasionally ends up being settled in a courtroom.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sign.

HHS, RFK sued by medical associations over COVID policy shift

Multiple professional groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians, challenge recent policy changes to vaccine recommendations for COVID-19, which end routine inoculations for minors and pregnant women.

What’s in the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—and what was left out?

Sweeping tax cuts and reduced spending on Medicaid and SNAP were signed into law by President Donald Trump. However, a key provision that would have paused new AI regulations was removed by the Senate.

‘Flesh-eating’ hoax on UnitedHealth leaves Las Vegas woman behind bars

Jennifer Forbes, 50, allegedly sent a cryptic, threatening letter to a UnitedHealthcare office along with an unknown substance. She has been charged with two counts of terrorism.

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact

The 940-page document passed the House of Representatives in a 218 to 214 vote, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. It contains a 20% cut to federal Medicaid funding, something Trump said he opposes.

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Wrongful death lawsuit filed after restrained hospital patient dies of cardiac arrest

The family of Gay Sherman Weintz, 55, said she died as a result of 24-hour physical restraint, combined with staff at Middlesex Hospital ignoring signs of a medical crisis. Her son, Chauncey Smith, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

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