From the American Medical Association suing the Trump administration to a federal judge ousting the operator of an Oklahoma hospital, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits making headlines.
1. Oklahoma hospital owner forced to turn over operations
A federal judge ruled that the owner of Prague (Okla.) Community Hospital must allow another company to take over management of the facility.
2. Former UPMC employee pleads guilty to criminal HIPAA violation
A former patient information coordinator at Pittsburgh-based UPMC pleaded guilty to wrongfully disclosing a person's protected health information.
3. Blind advocacy group sues Epic, again
The National Federation of the Blind refiled a complaint against EHR vendor Epic. The organization previously claimed the company's software isn't suitable for blind and low-vision users.
4. Payroll employee charged with stealing $550K from NY hospitals
A man who worked in the payroll departments of two New York City hospitals allegedly stole more than $550,000 from the hospitals over a three-year period.
5. Insurer off the hook for California hospital's $42M false claims settlement
A district court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Los Angeles-based Pacific Alliance Medical Center against its insurer for refusing to cover the hospital's $42 million False Claims Act settlement and costs related to a federal investigation.
6. Oklahoma hospital operator ousted over 'immediate threat' to patient safety
In a ruling issued Feb. 27, a district judge in Oklahoma determined Fairfax (Okla.) Community Hospital's financial troubles pose a threat to patient safety.
7. Anthem accused of sending massive checks to patients to force providers in network
San Clemente, Calif.-based Sovereign Health is suing Anthem and its Blue Cross entities for sending more than $1.3 million in payments to patients that is allegedly owed to facilities that treated them.
8. Ohio physician accused of fatal medication orders is immune from civil suits, lawyer claims
A lawyer for William Husel, DO, the former Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System physician accused of ordering potentially fatal painkiller doses for 35 near-death patients, said he is "immune from civil litigation" under state law.
9. AMA sues Trump administration over abortion referral rule
The American Medical Association filed a lawsuit that seeks to block a final rule issued by the Trump administration to prohibit taxpayer-funded family planning clinics from providing referrals for abortion.
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