From a physician suing a health system and malpractice insurer for refusing to cover criminal defense costs to a for-profit hospital operator accused of mismanaging a retirement plan, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.
1. CHS sued over alleged mismanagement of retirement plan
A group of participants in Community Health System's 401(k) plan sued the Franklin, Tenn.-based system and record keeper Principal Financial Group.
2. Google, U Chicago move to dismiss lawsuit over patient data sharing
University of Chicago Medical Center and Google filed motions to dismiss a class-action lawsuit that alleges the hospital violated HIPAA by sharing thousands of patients' health records with the technology giant without properly de-identifying the data.
3. Michigan health system can't stop nurse's race bias case
A federal judge denied Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health System's request for summary judgment in a lawsuit alleging the health system violated federal race discrimination law.
4. Former employee allegedly sold 93 guns purchased by Georgia hospital
The former director of security for a Georgia hospital was indicted on 19 charges after allegedly stealing guns the hospital paid for and selling them for profit.
5. Ohio physician charged with murder sues Trinity Health over defense costs
An Ohio physician who was indicted on 25 counts of murder earlier this year sued Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health and his medical malpractice insurer in federal court for refusing to cover the costs of defending the criminal charges.
6. 3 physicians to pay $1.1M to settle genetic testing kickback allegations
Three physicians and a cardiac center agreed to collectively pay $1.1 million to settle allegations of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act in a scheme related to genetic testing.
7. California counties ask judge to block public charge rule
San Francisco and Santa Clara counties in California filed a joint motion seeking to temporarily halt the Trump administration's "public charge" rule while legal challenges to the rule are decided by the courts.
8. 2 Florida hospitals stripped of Medicaid funds fight state budget provision
Two Florida hospitals are challenging a legislative decision that bars them from receiving Medicaid money used for training physicians.
9. Ex-employee accused of stealing $1M from Idaho health system
A woman who worked in accounts receivable during most of her 22-year career with Boise, Idaho-based Saint Alphonsus Health System is accused of using her position to defraud the health system of $1 million.
10. New York judge upholds law against religious vaccine exemptions
New York State Supreme Court Justice Denise Hartman upheld a new state law eliminating religious exemptions to vaccine laws for school children.
11. Student volunteer sues West Virginia hospital for sexual harassment
A teen volunteer filed a lawsuit against Beckley (W.Va.) Appalachian Regional Hospital and one of its former employed physicians for alleged sexual harassment.
More lawsuits on legal and regulatory issues:
Former Arkansas physician charged in deaths of 3 patients
UHS execs, directors escape lawsuit over billing practices
Surgeon keeps $6.4M defamation award in feud with Memorial Hermann