Articles and Blogs

NATIONAL Amazon Pharmacy to offer same-day delivery after urgent care visits Concerns over fairness, access rise as states compete for slice of $50 billion rural health fund FDA to remove safety warnings on hormonal menopause therapy Government shutdown ends: 5 healthcare notes Health systems push nursing homes toward virtual care Health system ties improve... READ MORE

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently announced the creation of a new office in its Civil Division: the Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch (the “Branch”). According to a September 2025 press release, the Branch is “dedicated to safeguarding public health and safety through proactive enforcement and high-impact affirmative litigation.” Structure and Scope The Branch... 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

NATIONAL 3 Joint Commission moves Amid shutdown, health IT vendors say hospitals are cutting back on spending CMS finalizes 2026 physician fee schedule: 12 notes CMS finalizes increased pay rates for physicians in 2026, but hospital docs could lose out Congress Mulls New Rules for Nonprofit Hospitals Ensign Group adds 8 nursing homes in... READ MORE

On October 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) ended automatic extensions of employment authorization documents (“EAD”) for certain foreign nationals. Previously, filing a timely renewal application would grant an automatic extension for certain categories of EADs. DHS will now prioritize proper screening and vetting of foreign nationals before granting EAD extensions. Under... READ MORE

NATIONAL 10 things physicians should know about Stark law AHA calls for changes to proposed H-1B selection process: 6 notes AHA pushes CMS to delay Medicare prior authorization pilot AHA urges smarter AI regulation for advancing innovation, safety and access to health care AHA urges White House to align and simplify AI regulations in... READ MORE

A Florida district court (the “Court”) in United States v. AIMA Business and Medical Support, LLC held that a third-party medical billing company can be held liable under the False Claims Act (“FCA”) for pushing medically unnecessary genetic tests, even though it did not provide care directly to patients. This decision is important because... READ MORE

NATIONAL After a slow start, hospital merger activity rises AHA trustees discuss future of rural care at Sanford Rural Health Summit AHA urges tariff exceptions for certain PPE, medical devices Amazon One Medical Launches Telehealth Platform For Pediatric Care Anesthetist shortage and pay cuts strain hospital budgets Behavioral health leaders on the industry’s next... READ MORE

The Illinois Department of Revenue (“IDOR”) has announced the 2025 Illinois Tax Amnesty Program (the “Program”), authorized by the Illinois Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act. This limited-time program offers taxpayers a valuable opportunity to pay Eligible Tax Liabilities and have penalties and interest forgiven on taxes paid in full during the amnesty period, which runs... READ MORE

This client alert provides updates on our previous guidance related to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation (the “Proclamation”), Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. On October 20, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published updated guidance on the applicability of the Proclamation. The update clarifies: Who is subject to the $100,000... READ MORE