From executives of a Dallas-based hospital being indicted in a massive kickback scheme to the CEO of a medical supply company pleading guilty to extortion and other charges, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Hospitals' billion-dollar pension dispute heads to Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up appeals filed by Christian-affiliated hospital systems that are accused of underfunding their employee pension plans.
2. Executives, physicians at Dallas hospital indicted in massive kickback scheme
Physicians, founders, executives and investors of physician-owned Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas were charged in a federal indictment for their alleged involvement in a bribe and kickback scheme.
3. Washington hospitals ink $4.5M settlement in charity care case
Toppenish (Wash.) Community Hospital, Yakima (Wash.) Regional Medical and Cardiac Center and their parent company Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over the two Washington hospitals' charity care practices.
4. Hospice provider tied to 'Dr. Death' inks $200k kickback settlement
Vitas Health Corp. Midwest, a subsidiary of Miami-based hospice provider Vitas Healthcare, agreed to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations it paid kickbacks to Farid Fata, MD, in exchange for referrals.
5. Pharmacy owner gets prison time for massive opioid diversion scheme
A pharmacy owner in New York City was sentenced to four years in prison for her role in a drug diversion scheme.
6. Patient accused of attacking, kidnapping nurse in Illinois hospital
A 27-year-old man who prosecutors allege attacked a nurse and two other employees at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill., was charged with kidnapping and aggravated battery.
7. CEO of medical supply company guilty of extortion, fraud
The president and CEO of RX Resources and Solutions, a durable medical equipment provider in Randallstown, Md., pleaded guilty to collecting a debt by extortion, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and conspiracy to defraud the U.S.
8. Man sues CNN for airing images of him in hospital: 6 things to know
A Connecticut man who claims he was shot in the face by former New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez in 2013 filed a lawsuit against CNN for airing images of him in a documentary without his consent while he was being treated in a Florida hospital.
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