Lawmakers Request Comments from Health Stakeholders on Medical Research and Care Delivery Reforms

On June 6, 2024, Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN) released a letter requesting information from stakeholders on their 21st Century Cures initiative, a policy effort focused on medical research and health care transformation and reforms. With this opportunity to comment, the lawmakers have renewed their commitment to developing the initiative with the support of the health community, nearly eight years after the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. 114-255).

Enacted in December 2016, … Read the rest

Restrictions on gender-affirming medical care – and assault weapons

Restrictions on gender-affirming medical care – and assault weapons

Share

The Relist Watch column examines cert petitions that the Supreme Court has “relisted” for its upcoming conference. A short explanation of relists is available here.

After going two conferences without any new relists, the Supreme Court ended the relist drought this week with a vengeance. We have 12 new relists, several of which are potential blockbusters if the court grants review.

Gender-affirming care

Three of the cases involve constitutional challenges brought against state prohibitions on providing gender-affirming care … Read the rest

Court allows Idaho to generally enforce ban on gender-transition care for minors

Court allows Idaho to generally enforce ban on gender-transition care for minors

Share

The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for Idaho to temporarily enforce a state law criminalizing gender-transition care for minors against anyone who is not part of a lawsuit currently challenging that ban. In a brief order, the justices granted the state’s request to limit the scope of an earlier order entered by a federal district court in Idaho, which had barred the state from enforcing the law at all while a challenge to its constitutionality continues.

The … Read the rest

Important Changes to NY’s Health Care Proxy Law

As of November 2023, having a valid health care proxy became easier for New Yorkers. A health care proxy allows a competent adult to appoint an agent to make health care choices for them if they lose the ability to make those decisions for themselves. Two adults who are not appointed in the document must witness the signing of the health care proxy for it to be valid.[1]

The use of remote witnessing with audio-visual technology was permitted during the … Read the rest

Tribal self-governance at center of dispute over federal health care costs

Tribal self-governance at center of dispute over federal health care costs

Share

The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

The Indian Health Service is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that administers health care programs for Native American tribes. In an effort to promote tribal self-governance, Congress allows tribes to contract with the agency to oversee these programs themselves. This week, we highlight petitions that … Read the rest

The Long-Term Health Care Industry Faces New, Intense USDOL Scrutiny: Make Sure You Are FLSA Compliant!

I have defended dozens of nursing homes, home health services, residential care centers and other health care providers in audits of their wage practices by the US. Department of Labor (“DOL”) and state DOLs.  I have come to learn that there are unique wage hour issues and challenges in this industry and that many well-meaning employers, seeking to comply with the law, step on regulatory landmines and end up in trouble.

Well, buckle up.  The USDOL is stepping up its … Read the rest

Aging Parents’ Fear: Being Put In A Care Home Against Their Will

In our work at AgingParents.com, we often hear from adult children that the elder in their lives absolutely doesn’t want to be “put in a home”. By that they typically mean that they fear giving up their own living situation and being forced to go elsewhere for some form of care. They extract promises from their loved ones that they’ll never do that. There are times when family can’t take care of the aging parent at home and a living … Read the rest

Why the Dobbs decision won’t imperil pregnancy-related medical care

Why the <em>Dobbs</em> decision won’t imperil pregnancy-related medical care

Share

This article is part of a symposium on the court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Elizabeth R. Kirk is director of the Center for Law & the Human Person at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. She is an associate scholar at Charlotte Lozier Institute. Dr. Ingrid Skop is an obstetrician-gynecologist and is senior fellow and director of medical affairs at Charlotte Lozier Institute.

Many are grappling with the legal … Read the rest