Articles and Blogs

Introduction On November 29, 2012, Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and several other congressmen introduced HR 6611, the Patient Access to Drugs in Shortage Act (“Drug Shortage Act” or the “Act”), a new bill aimed at curbing drug shortages of generic sterile injectable drugs (“Sterile Injectables”).  If enacted, the Drug Shortage Act could have a significant…Read More

Introduction On November 8, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published the Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2013 (“Final Rule”) in the Federal Register.  This alert addresses some of the most notable components of the Final Rule in order to assist Home Health Agencies (“HHAs”) as…Read More

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just issued a release detailing the establishment of the Healthcare Connect Fund (the “Fund”) to reform and modernize its universal service program for health care.  Recognizing the importance of high-speed data connectedness for quality patient care and burgeoning  health care practices such as telemedicine, the FCC is expanding and reforming its existing Rural Health Care…Read More

Michigan Joins Indiana in “Right-to-Work” In less than twelve months, two Midwestern states long known for their unionized workforces have passed legislation that prevents agreements requiring union membership and the payment of union dues as a condition of employment.  First, on February 1, 2012, Governor Mitch Daniels signed Indiana’s “Right-to-Work” bill into law to become…Read More

Historically, plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury actions have agreed that the value of the plaintiff’s claim is largely driven by the value of the medical expenses incurred by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant’s alleged negligence, with higher costs resulting in higher values for the plaintiff’s claim and vice versa.  As a…Read More

MedPAC Considers 1% Payment Increase for Hospitals On December 6, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (“MedPAC”) discussed draft recommendations calling for a 1% increase in inpatient and outpatient hospital payments in 2013.  MedPAC, an independent body that advises Congress on Medicare payment policy, is scheduled to vote on the recommendations when they reconvene on January…Read More

Background Checks and Notice Forms The Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) imposes numerous notice obligations on employers who use third-party companies to conduct background checks on their employees and job applicants.  Among other requirements, all job applicants must be informed explicitly: 1) that a background check will be conducted on them; 2) given the opportunity to…Read More

Complain, Complain, Complain… Two African-American nurses for some time had complained about working conditions, race discrimination and unfair treatment at their hospital.  They filed a petition with Human Resources that alleged Filipino nurses were treated better than the African-American nurses.  It was investigated but could not be corroborated.  They complained that other nurses were sleeping…Read More

On November 16, 2012, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan released an 80 page opinion granting Summary Judgment in favor of St. Mary Mercy Hospital in the case Brintley v. St. Mary Mercy et al (No. 09-cv-14014). The plaintiff was a former physician at St. Mary Mercy who had her…Read More

Hall Render has learned that Texas Republican Kevin Brady will become the new Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommitee in Washington, D.C. The 7-term representative of the 8th District northwest of Houston is currently Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee and the third most senior member of the full Ways and Means Committee. He…Read More