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, 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.
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.

Federal judge strikes down HHS ban on tracking cookies

Providers argued the HHS overstepped its regulatory authority. A federal court in Texas agreed.

Hospital staffer awarded $10M in discrimination, defamation lawsuit

The lawsuit claimed Stanford Health Care had a systemic pattern of racism, including a staffer dressing as a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

Tesla-crashing radiologist probably headed for therapy rather than incarceration

The radiologist accused of deliberately driving himself and his family over a rocky California cliff in a Tesla won’t be going to trial.

cleveland clinic settles for failing to disclose research funding

Adventist Health settles with DoJ over sharing patient data with police

Staff at the health system shared protected medical information with law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of two women.

money gavel court lawsuit legal judge judgement

Novant Health backs out of North Carolina hospital buyout after FTC pressure

The U.S. Court of Appeals of the Fourth Circuit temporarily blocked the buyout of two North Carolina hospitals after an FTC appeal.

doctor's open hand waiting for a payment

Emergency reimbursement for Change Healthcare breach ends in July

The last day for providers and suppliers to apply for Medicare reimbursement through the advanced payment program is July 12.

Lawsuit over theft of UnitedHealth’s trade secrets settled out of court

UnitedHealth alleged its proprietary technology was used to create Lore Health, a generative AI chatbot. The case was dismissed after arbitration.

Senators introduce bill to criminalize private equity ‘looting’ in healthcare

Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren are co-sponsoring legislation that would put executives in jail if their business practices result in the death of a patient.

Legal News

HHS, RFK sued by medical associations over COVID policy shift

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

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

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

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