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.

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.
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.

Q&A: Healthcare cybersecurity advocate fears damage from Change Healthcare breach has only begun

Richard Staynings says the breach of Change Healthcare’s systems stems from consolidation, and the impact may devastate independent providers.

HHS: ‘Who is responsible for ensuring that individuals affected by the Change Healthcare breach receive notification?’

HHS’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has confirmed UnitedHealth Group can send out HIPAA-required notifications about the breach but stopped short of saying the company will be responsible for doing so.

Rural New Mexico hospital may close its doors after $100M malpractice judgment

Rehoboth McKinley Medical Center lost a 2019 malpractice case involving a botched hernia surgery. The hospital was already operating at a loss before the case went to court.

Doctor sentenced to five years for performing unnecessary surgeries

Daniel J. Castro, MD, defrauded insurers and patients by conducting unnecessary excisions of glands in the head and neck.

Authorities scold provider for failing to relay results from X-ray unearthing deadly lung cancer

An initial exam pinpointed nodules in both of a woman's lungs, but providers failed to promptly relay the results and she died months later.

Lawsuit filed in response to $43B nursing home staffing rule

Nursing home groups are suing CMS to block a final rule that mandates staffing and direct care minimums.

cleveland clinic settles for failing to disclose research funding

Cleveland Clinic paying $7M+ to settle deceptive funding case

A Cleveland Clinic researcher accepted NIH funding without telling the agency about money coming in for the same project from one or more foreign backers. For this the nonprofit Cleveland Clinic Foundation will pay $7.6 million.

Private equity-owned birthing centers in Florida back c-section rule change

The state will now allow cesarean sections to be performed outside of a hospital setting.

Legal News

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

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