Articles and Blogs

This week the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued new guidance on how to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Rehabilitation Act amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As we discussed here and reiterated in the new EEOC guidance, the ADA and Rehabilitation Act do not interfere with employers following the Centers... READ MORE

Sunday, March 22 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Congressional Outlook A procedural vote to end debate and move to a... READ MORE

Saturday, March 21 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website.​ Congressional Outlook After 12 hours of negotiation on Friday, Republicans and Democrats... READ MORE

The financial ripple effects of the COVID-19 crisis are likely to hit hospitals and health systems soon. As elective procedures are postponed or cancelled, and as COVID-19 costs escalate, many hospitals and health systems will begin burning cash and will find liquidity deteriorating. Declining investment portfolio values only add salt to the wounds. Aside... READ MORE

On March 13, 2020, Secretary Azar of the Department of Health and Human Services (the “HHS”) issued a letter titled “Waiver or Modification of Requirements Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act” (the “Azar Letter”) that grants the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (the “CMS”) the authority to issue waivers specific to... READ MORE

In response to the spread of novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) and the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) have issued guidance on how COVID-19 will impact merger review and filings under the Hart-Scott Rodino (the “HSR”) Act. On March 13, 2020, the FTC and DOJ suspended the submission of hard... READ MORE

Thursday, March 19 Recap Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website. Congressional Outlook Senate Republicans released the attached proposal for the third COVID-19... READ MORE

On March 18, 2020, the FDA issued FDA Guidance on Conduct of Clinical Trials of Medical Products during COVID-19 Pandemic that provides guidance for Sponsors, Clinical Investigators and Institutional Review Boards (“IRBs”) on how to address disruptions in the conduct of clinical trials (“Trials”) as a result of COVID-19. COVID-19 Disruptions to Clinical Trials... READ MORE

Citing special circumstances in the national interest, the Office for Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) has granted a temporary exemption and waiver of federal affirmative action obligations under certain federal contracts. The exemption and waiver applies only to federal contracts entered into between March 17, 2020 and June 17, 2020 for the specific purpose... READ MORE

Wednesday, March 18 Update Note – ​We believe this is the most up-to-date information available at this time, but it is subject to change ​as circumstances warrant. Also, all finalized resources can be found ​on the COVID-19 ​Resource ​Center page ​of Hall Render’s website. Congressional Outlook Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reversed course and the Senate passed... READ MORE