The following is a roundup of recently reported healthcare industry lawsuits and lawsuit updates, starting with the most recent.
1. Medical staff self-governing power supported by court decision
In a 5-2 vote, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled medical staff bylaws can serve as a legally enforceable contract between a hospital and medical staff.
2. Legal fight over Arizona Medicaid expansion will return to court
After a ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court, Republican state lawmakers' challenge to Medicaid expansion in Arizona will make its way back to court.
3. Cancer patients sue New York insurer for ending contract with physicians' group
Patients at New York Oncology Hematology, a cancer care services provider based in Albany, filed a class-action lawsuit against Capital District Physicians' Health Plan alleging the health insurer's action of reducing reimbursement rates led to the termination of its contract with NYOH.
4. 2 former Sacred Heart executives plead guilty to roll in kickback scheme
The former COO at SacredHeartHospital in Chicago, Anthony Puorro, and Noemi Velgara, the hospital's former vice president of geriatric services, pleaded guilty to their involvement in a kickback scheme.
5. Officials were aware of VA problems before scandal
Documents presented in a hospital director's case challenging her termination revealed senior officials in Washington were aware of issues at PhoenixVeteransAffairsMedicalCenter before the VA scandal made headlines in spring 2014.
More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits:
Omnicare hit with lawsuit for allegedly accepting kickbacks
Tennessee Supreme Court makes decision in hospital liens case