10 recent healthcare industry lawsuits

The following is a roundup of recently filed healthcare industry lawsuits and lawsuit updates reported in the last two weeks, beginning with the most recent.

 1. CHS to pay more than $98M to settle DOJ billing probe
Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems agreed to pay more than $98 million to resolve a government investigation over the hospital operator's billing practices.

2. Obama administration appeals PPACA subsidy case
The Obama administration asked for a rehearing in a case that held tax subsidies to low- and middle-income Americans may not be provided in states that use health insurance exchanges run by the federal government.

3. Most recent challenge to PPACA rejected by appeals court
In a 3-0 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against a conservative group that filed a lawsuit alleging Congress violated the origination clause of the Constitution by imposing new taxes when it created the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

4. Physician assistant convicted in $200M Medicare fraud scheme
A federal jury in Miami convicted Roger Bergman, a physician assistant licensed in Florida, and Rodolfo Santaya, a certified nursing assistant, for their involvement in a $200 million Medicare fraud scheme.

5. Appeals court says St. Luke's can continue operating Saltzer
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Boise, Idaho-based St. Luke's Health System may maintain ties with Saltzer Medical Group in Nampa, Idaho, despite a January ruling that ordered the two organizations to separate.

6. Appeals court upholds Florida's 'docs vs. glocks' law
A three-judge panel from the U.S. Appeals Court for the Eleventh Circuit upheld the controversial legislation in Florida, which forbids physicians from asking patients questions about gun ownership during medical visits.

7. Government files Anti-Kickback, False Claims lawsuit against Missouri neurosurgeon
A complaint was filed against Midwest Neurosurgeons in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and its owner alleging violations of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute

8. Federal jury finds Dr. Mahmood guilty
A federal jury in Tyler, Texas found Tariq Mahmood, MD, guilty of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud and identity theft

9. Halifax Health board unanimously votes to settle lawsuit
The Board of Commissioners of Daytona Beach, Fla.-based Halifax Health unanimously voted to settle the second part of a five-year legal battle for $1 million plus $4.5 million to be paid in fees to the whistle-blower's attorneys

10. Tennessee faces federal class-action lawsuit over delayed Medicaid coverage
Three advocacy groups including the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against Tennessee alleging state officials have unlawfully prevented thousands of people from signing up for Medicaid.

More articles on health law:

Kaiser, Dignity, Sutter oppose California bill to define "community benefit"
7 recent lawsuits challenging the PPACA
House votes to sue President Obama over PPACA