From the Federal Trade Commission losing its bid to block a merger between two Chicagoland health systems to a former California senator admitting he accepted bribes from a corrupt hospital executive, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. FTC can't block Advocate-NorthShore merger, judge rules
On Tuesday, an Illinois federal judge denied the Federal Trade Commission's request to block the merger of Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care and Evanston, Ill.-based NorthShore University HealthSystem. The commission is appealing the decision.
2. Healthcare CEO gets 10 years for fraud that led to 2 patient deaths
The CEO and co-owner of a Maryland diagnostics company has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for charges related to healthcare fraud resulting in the deaths of patients.
3. Washington hospital CEO ordered to admit patient or go to jail
A Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner ordered the new CEO of Lakewood, Wash.-based Western State Hospital to either admit a man to the psychiatric hospital or report to jail. A judge subsequently granted the Washington Department of Social and Health Services request to issue a stay on the ruling, keeping the CEO out of jail at least through June 21.
4. CNO claims hospital forced her out after she raised concerns about EMR
A former nursing executive at Sonoma West Medical Center in Sebastopol, Calif., filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging she was fired after raising concerns the EMR was a threat to patient safety.
5. Former Calif. senator admits accepting bribes from ex-hospital CEO
Ron Calderon, a former California senator, pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge, admitting he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from a corrupt hospital executive and FBI agents.
6. One charge against Planned Parenthood undercover filmmaker dropped
A misdemeanor charge against David Daleiden — the 27-year-old responsible for the videos that attempted to frame Planned Parenthood for illegally selling fetal tissue — was dismissed by a judge in Texas.
7. Former owner of HIV/AIDS clinics heads to prison for $12M fraud
Jorge Juvier, a former owner and operator of HIV/AIDS clinics in New York City, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for his role in a $12 million Medicare fraud scheme.
8. Court dismisses American Well's patent infringement suit against Teladoc
A Massachusetts federal court dismissed a lawsuit telemedicine provider American Well filed against Teladoc, another telemedicine provider, alleging Teladoc infringed upon intellectual property.
9. Epic asks court to reduce $940M awarded in Tata case
Epic Systems asked a federal court to reduce the $940 million it was awarded in damages against an Indian consultancy firm, citing state laws that put a cap on the amount of punitive damages permissible.
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