6 Key Federal Health Law Changes in 2025 and Their 2026 Impact

2025 was a busy year for federal health law, with several major laws, regulations, and policy changes. Many of these will still be relevant in 2026. The following is a brief overview of the most significant developments and what they may mean going forward. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) The OBBBA was a …

H-1B Proclamation ‘Fee’ and Extreme Vetting Fallout: A Perfect Storm for Healthcare

In fiscal year 2024, approximately 8,492 H-1B visas were approved for workers in medicine and health occupations.1 The American Medical Association and over 50 national specialty societies and state medical associations expressed serious concerns over the $100,000 H-1B fee imposed by the Presidential Proclamation, warning that it could worsen the U.S. physician shortage, projected to …

Telehealth’s Weight-Loss Boom and the Corporate Practice of Medicine

Telehealth weight-loss platforms offering rapid GLP-1 prescriptions have become one of the fastest-growing segments in healthcare. These platforms connect consumers with clinicians via virtual consultations to assess eligibility for drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide. This model has attracted significant venture capital as demand surges. Yet, behind the glossy marketing and rapid expansion lies a longstanding …

The 9th Circuit’s EKRA Ruling: Implications For Behavioral Health and Clinical Labs

Previously published in Healthcare News and Healthcare Michigan Recently, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a conviction of a lab operator for violations of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (“EKRA”) in United States v. Schena. This ruling, the first ever appellate interpretation of EKRA, has notable implications for both the laboratory industry and the greater healthcare industry. …

Enhanced Crackdown on Non-Compete Agreements

It has been a busy year for the Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”) enforcement efforts against non-compete restrictive covenants in employment agreements.  During President Biden’s administration in 2024, the FTC issued a rule banning non-compete provisions in employment agreements with certain exceptions (the “Rule”).  That led to immediate litigation challenging the FTC’s authority.  Appeals were pending …

Imagination Is Essential for Good Legal Defense

Previously published in Healthcare News and Healthcare Michigan. Growing up, my family played an unusual game around the dinner table. After sharing about our days, my dad (also a health care attorney) would ask my sisters and me to argue. He’d pick a topic, such as why my younger sister should have a later bedtime than me, or …

Recent FTC Developments on Non-Compete Enforcement

It has been a busy month for the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and enforcement activity concerning non-compete restrictive covenants in employment agreements. If you have been following this topic, you’ll recall that during President Biden’s administration in 2024, the FTC issued a rule banning non-compete provisions in employment agreements with certain exceptions. That led to …

Friendly PC Model: 3 Key Ancillary Agreements for CPOM Compliance

With the rebound of private equity (“PE”) activity in healthcare across the United States, the Corporate Practice of Medicine and Dentistry (“CPOM” or “CPOD”) has likewise experienced renewed focus by state legislatures and enforcement agencies in 2025.[i]  However, despite this rekindled attention, the often-referenced “Friendly PC” model remains the best structural strategy to ensure post-closing …

Telehealth Summer 2025: Collaboration Models, Enforcement Trends, and Reimbursement Guidance

It has been a busy summer for telehealth updates. Following is a high-level summary of the latest developments. On June 6, 2025, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the “OIG”) issued an advisory opinion (25-03), which may provide a model for structuring telehealth collaborations that are compliant …

Federal Health Law Enforcement in 2025

Much has been written about the healthcare policy changes implemented by the 2025 Trump administration. President Trump has issued numerous Executive Orders that establish new policies and rescind actions taken by previous administrations. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is overhauling and refocusing Health & Human Services. Dr. Mehmet Oz is implementing new policies at the Center …