From a nurse suing a Los Angeles-based health system for failing to prevent sexual harassment by a surgeon to physician groups settling kickback allegations, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. 2 physician groups will pay $33M to settle kickback allegations: 6 things to know
Dallas-based EmCare and Lancaster, Pa.-based Physicians' Alliance have agreed to settle allegations they received illegal kickbacks from now-defunct Health Management Associates in Naples, Fla., in exchange for referrals to hospitals owned by HMA.
2. DOJ: Man treated nearly 2 dozen patients while posing as physician in Virginia
A 30-year-old man was arrested on charges of fraud, false statements and identity theft for allegedly using licensed physicians' personal identifying information to pose as a physician.
3. Man indicted on murder charges for fatal shooting at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
A grand jury in New Hampshire issued an indictment charging 49-year-old Travis Frink with both first- and second-degree murder in the shooting death of his mother earlier this year at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
4. Cooper University Health sues Trinity division for $15M over failed hospital deal
Camden, N.J.-based Cooper University Health Care filed a lawsuit against Maxis Health System, a division of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, to recover $15 million held in escrow after Cooper backed out of a deal to acquire Trinity's New Jersey hospitals.
5. Nurse accuses Cedars-Sinai of failing to prevent sexual harassment by surgeon
A former nurse at an ambulatory surgery center in Beverly Hills, Calif., sued a Los Angeles eye surgeon and Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Health System for battery, sexual harassment and discrimination.
6. Indiana hospital's ex-ER director faces theft, drug charges
Kelly Hill, the former emergency department director at Madison, Ind.-based King's Daughters' Health, is accused of stealing hundreds of vials of controlled substances from the hospital earlier this year.
7. Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump's plan to end ACA birth control mandate: 5 things to know
A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's order ending the ACA's birth control mandate Dec. 15.
8. OIG: Maryland drugmaker to settle kickback allegations for $210M
United Therapeutics Corp., a pharmaceutical company in Silver Spring, Md., will pay $210 million to resolve federal kickback allegations.
9. Ohio's capital files opioid lawsuit against 25 drug companies
Columbus is the latest Ohio municipality to take legal action against drug companies to recoup city funds expended addressing the city's opioid crisis.
10. Former associate dean of U of Missouri medical school claims racial bias forced her out of position
Rachel Brown, MD, former associate dean of Columbia-based University of Missouri School of Medicine, sued the school, claiming racial bias forced her from her position in an intentional change of leadership amid efforts to improve student diversity.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
No charges filed against officers who shot, killed armed hospital patient
DaVita pharmacy unit settles billing fraud case for $63.7M
California anesthesiologist charged with murder after physician dies while under his care