From Sutter Health settling an antitrust case to a union suing a New York hospital over its nurse recruitment methods, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. Sutter Health reaches surprise settlement in antitrust case
Sutter Health, a 24-hospital system based in Sacramento, Calif., reached a preliminary agreement Oct. 16 in an antitrust case brought by employers and later joined by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
2. Judge vacates discrimination protections for transgender patients
A federal judge in Texas overturned a 2016 regulation protecting transgender patients from discrimination Oct. 15.
3. Feds charge pain clinic chain's owner in $38M billing fraud case
The owner of a Tennessee-based pain clinic chain and three employees were charged Oct. 15 with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and several counts of healthcare fraud for allegedly submitting $38 million in fraudulent claims government payers.
4. Federal court sends former Tenet physicians' retaliation claims to arbitration
A federal court ruled Oct. 9 that three cardiologists who claim they were fired for reporting safety issues and fraudulent billing at a Detroit hospital owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare must arbitrate their retaliation claims.
5. New York hospital's nurse recruitment violates trafficking law, union says
The New York State Nurses Association said in an Oct. 15 news release that it filed a federal lawsuit against Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center, alleging that nearly 600 Filipino nurses the hospital recruited since 2002 have been required to sign employment contracts with illegal clauses.
6. 3 North Carolina healthcare workers charged with creating fight club for dementia patients
Three workers at an assisted living facility in North Carolina were arrested Oct. 11 and charged with assault on an individual with a disability for allegedly encouraging dementia patients in their care to fight each other.
7. Oscar appeals decision in Florida Blue lawsuit
Insurer Oscar filed a notice of appeal Oct. 16 after a judge dismissed the startup's lawsuit against Florida Blue.
8. Pharmacist sues New York hospital, says she was fired after reporting misconduct
A former clinical pharmacist at Strong Memorial Hospital filed a lawsuit claiming the Rochester, N.Y.-based provider fired her after she reported patient safety concerns and harassment.
9. Courts block federal rule that could discourage immigrants' use of Medicaid
On Oct. 11, three judges blocked the Trump administration's public charge rule, which could deny permanent residency to immigrants who use public benefits such as Medicaid.
10. Genetics lab to resolve kickback allegations for $42M, lose billing privileges for 25 years
A New Orleans genetics laboratory reached a settlement with the federal government to resolve kickback allegations on Oct. 9.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
HHS pitches sweeping revamp of anti-kickback rules: 5 things to know
Big malpractice verdicts becoming more frequent, report finds
ACA ruling expected this month: 4 things to know