Articles and Blogs

On July 5, 2024, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (“the Court”) ruled that a $7.5 million award of treble damages and civil penalties in an Iowa FCA case was unconstitutional due to the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against “excessive fines.” The Court also examined other matters, including the acceptability of statistical sampling and the... READ MORE

On July 3, 2024, a federal court in Texas (“the Court”) issued a stay related to certain provisions of CMS’s Contract Year 2025 Medicare Advantage and Part D (“MAPD”) Final Rule (“2025 Final Rule”), which would change how agents and brokers are paid by Medicare Advantage (“MA”) and Part D plans. Specifically, the Court... READ MORE

On June 24, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a final rule implementing disincentives for health care providers who are found by the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) to have engaged in information blocking practices as defined under the 21st Century Cures Act. This rule establishes a framework for the... READ MORE

Ardent Health Partners completed its initial public offering and shares are now trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ARDT ticker symbol. Ardent owns 30 acute care hospitals (18 are joint ventures), operates 200 sites of care and has 1,700 affiliated providers. Ardent’s operating model focuses on joint venture hospitals in mid-sized... READ MORE

NATIONAL AHA criticizes payment structure in Pay PCPs Act Chevron ruling may spark action on PBM legislation CMS toughens Medicaid oversight after ‘unwinding’ mess Health tech company Commure to acquire Augmedix in $139M deal as AI scribe competition heats up Health systems eye ‘multi-region model’ Healthcare is an ‘easy victim’ for ransomware attacks. How... READ MORE

Health care continues to drive private equity (“PE”) activity, creating opportunities for investors and traditional health care providers. Transactions in the health care space are especially complicated, layering health care regulatory and reimbursement considerations on top of a complex securities, antitrust, privacy and security framework. Hall Render’s PE team of attorneys and advisors leverage... READ MORE

The Indiana Supreme Court established an expedited appeal Pilot Program for mental health appeals originating in Marion County, Indiana that will begin September 1, 2024. The project aims to tackle the challenges posed by temporary mental health commitments which often cannot be resolved on appeal before the commitment’s 90-day term expires. Background Under Indiana... READ MORE

NATIONAL Are spine, orthopedic surgeons exiting hospitals for private practice? Biden administration launches multistate social worker compact initiative Bill would allow, expand physician ownership of hospitals in rural areas Bill permitting new physician-owned hospitals gains steam Change breach disrupts two-midnight rule analysis for hospitals Clif Porter named AHCA/NCAL’s next president and CEO Health system... READ MORE

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute plans to demolish the Joslin Diabetes Center building in Boston to make way for its recently announced 300-bed, 450,000-sf cancer hospital, which it plans to build with Beth Israel Deaconess for $1.7B. Howard University has announced plans to build a new $650M, 200-bed hospital in Washington, D.C. The University stated its... READ MORE

Health care continues to drive private equity (“PE”) activity, creating opportunities for investors and traditional health care providers. Transactions in the health care space are especially complicated, layering health care regulatory and reimbursement considerations on top of a complex securities, antitrust, privacy and security framework. Hall Render’s PE team of attorneys and advisors leverage... READ MORE