From Nebraska's attorney general suing Change Healthcare to Optum backing out of a proposed "dummy code" settlement, here are 12 healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements and legal developments that Becker's has reported since Dec. 10:
1. The former CEO and chief nursing officer at Eureka Springs (Ark.) Hospital filed lawsuits against the hospital and six commission members, alleging wrongful termination in November after reporting staff complaints about the chief financial officer.
2. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a lawsuit against Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, alleging the company violated state consumer protection and data security laws after a February ransomware attack.
3. A federal judge in Texas dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Edinburg, Texas-based Cornerstone Regional Hospital submitted millions of dollars in fraudulent claims for operations performed by unlicensed foreign physicians
4. Texas' attorney general is suing a New York physician for providing a Texas woman with abortion-inducing drugs via telehealth.
5. Sanofi filed a lawsuit against the Health Resources and Services Administration in federal court Dec. 16, challenging the agency's decision to potentially remove the company from the 340B Drug Pricing Program over the company's proposed credit model.
6. UnitedHealth Group agreed to pay $69 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged the company prioritized its business relationship with Wells Fargo over concerns that its 401(k) plan contained low-performing target-date funds.
7. Oroville (Calif.) Hospital agreed to pay $10.25 million to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
8. A Philadelphia judge ordered a new trial in a $45 million malpractice case against Temple Health on Dec. 5, calling the jury's original verdict in August "exorbitant." The case involves a patient who suffered brain damage after aspirating food following hospital discharge.
9. Optum backed out of a proposed settlement between Aetna and class members in a lawsuit that accused the companies of improperly charging administrative fees as medical expenses.
10. A federal judge halted new regulations allowing individuals who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to enroll in ACA marketplace plans.
11. The Supreme Court upheld Arkansas' 340B drug pricing law, rejecting a legal challenge from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America against the state's regulation.
12. A group opposing Evansville, Ind.-based Deaconess Health System's planned acquisition of Hopkinsville, Ky.-based Jennie Stuart Health filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to halt the transaction.