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FCC Updates Broadband Map to Highlight Health Disparities

Previously published in Healthcare News and Healthcare Michigan Introduction On December 13, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced significant updates to its Mapping Broadband Health in America platform. This enhanced tool, now incorporating a range of new health metrics, aims to provide deeper insights into the connection between expanding broadband connectivity and critical health outcomes, with a particular focus on …

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Arizona’s New Behavioral Healthcare Laws – Part 2

As part of a three-part series. Read the first installment here. In 2024, the Arizona legislature passed five new Arizona laws directly affecting behavioral health care in Arizona. These laws run the gamut between refining definitions, requiring peer specialist trainings, new requirements for court-ordered evaluation and treatment, increased retention of documentation, and expanding guardians’ rights. …

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Healthcare Developments to Expect in 2025

Previously published in Healthcare News and Healthcare Michigan As is the case in many industry sectors, the end of the year brings us to wonder what is in store for healthcare in 2025. Although the future is anyone’s guess, the following three areas of healthcare are most likely to experience robust activity. Non-Compete Litigation Non-compete provisions are designed …

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Arizona’s New Behavioral Healthcare Laws – Part 1

As part of a three-part series In 2024, the Arizona legislature passed five new Arizona laws directly affecting behavioral health care in Arizona. These laws run the gamut between refining definitions, requiring peer specialist trainings, new requirements for court-ordered evaluation and treatment, increased retention of documentation, and expanding guardians’ rights. In this three-part series, you …

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Final Rules Released: What They Mean for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits

Previously published in Healthcare News and Healthcare Michigan On Sept. 9, 2024, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (collectively “the Departments”) released final rules strengthening and clarifying the rules previously set forth in the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). These new rules signify the Departments’ commitment to enforcing existing mental …

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November 1 Deadline Looms as Texas Hospitals Struggle to Track Costs Related to Immigration Status

On November 1, certain Texas hospitals must comply with an Executive Order issued by Governor Greg Abbott on August 8, 2024 (Order), requiring them to document medical costs related to the care of individuals without legal immigration status. Governor Abbott provided the following statement explaining the reasoning behind his Order: “Due to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala …

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Texas Challenges Biden Administration’s Minimum Staffing Mandate in Court

Previously published in Healthcare News  The State of Texas filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration on August 16, 2024, seeking to vacate a rule requiring nursing homes that receive federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid to meet certain minimum staffing requirements. The lawsuit alleges that because 97% of all nursing homes participate in these programs, the Final Rule …

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2024 Revisions to Part 2: Key Changes, Impact, and Compliance Tips

Previously published in Healthcare News and  Healthcare Michigan. On February 8, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized revisions to 42 CFR Part 2. Read on to learn more about Part 2, the changes, and helpful practice pointers. Quick Refresher: What Is Part 2?  42 CFR Part 2 is a set of Federal laws that …

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Healthcare in Crisis: Exploring Immigration as a Vital Solution for the United States

Previously published in Healthcare News and  Healthcare Michigan. A recent commentary offers a stark glimpse into future healthcare demands (Harris & Marshall, 2024). During the first two years of the pandemic, the U.S. economy saw a loss of 400,000 workers in residential care facilities and nursing. Presently, there remains a shortage of approximately 130,000 workers …

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Ramping Up: Antitrust Enforcement in Health Care

Originally published in Healthcare Michigan, Volume 41,  No. 6 It has been a rapid-fire start to 2024 with antitrust enforcers within the Biden administration ramping up regulatory scrutiny across the U.S.—and health care is at the center of it. These efforts started in December 2023 when the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC” or “Commission”) and Antitrust …

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