Health Industry Washington Watch

4/6/2026 10:09:06 PM

Federal AI Activity and the Growing Tension Over State Preemption

By James Hennessy

Comprehensive federal AI legislation remains elusive. In its absence, states have moved aggressively to fill the regulatory void,...

3/12/2026 7:32:36 AM

The Rise and Withdrawal of the Requestor Preferences Exception under the Information Blocking Rule: Implications for Radiology Providers and Test Result Embargoes

By Tom Greeson Liyun Huang Matthew Loughran

In August 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), inter alia, proposed a new information blocking exception – the...

3/9/2026 7:17:37 AM

CMS Provides Details for “Medicare GLP-1 Bridge” Coverage for Eligible Part D Beneficiaries

By Robert Hill Selina Coleman Megan K. Ali

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) released Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) (which he...

3/2/2026 6:40:36 PM

HHS-OIG Issues Favorable Advisory Opinion that a Management Entity Affiliated with Urgent Care Centers Could Operate an Independent Clinical Laboratory

By Jessica Christensen

On February 12, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) issued Advisory Opinion No....

2/27/2026 5:49:36 PM

CMS implements immediate 6 month moratorium on enrollment of new DMEPOS suppliers

By Carol Loepere Arielle Lusardi Matthew Loughran

In a notice published in the Federal Register today (Feb. 27, 2026), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a...

2/23/2026 10:43:08 PM

Reed Smith to host 12th Annual Virtual Health Care Week March 16 through March 19

By Matthew Loughran

For anyone working in the health and life sciences industries and looking to complete CLE hours, or who just wants to keep up to date on...

2/23/2026 12:45:07 AM

DOJ outlines FCA priorities, including enforcement framework for DEI programs and areas of focus for health care and trade

By Selina Coleman Kate Seikaly Lily Barrett

At the Federal Bar Association’s Annual Qui Tam Conference on February 19, 2026, a Department of Justice (DOJ) representative outlined...

2/18/2026 11:54:06 PM

Two Breach Reports to OCR for Same Data Breach? OCR Begins Part 2 Compliance Enforcement Program

By Vicki Tankle Wendell Bartnick Cindy Hsieh

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a new robust civil enforcement program to protect substance use disorder (SUD) patient...

2/18/2026 2:39:06 PM

OIG Issues Favorable Opinion to Colorectal Cancer Screening Test Manufacturer

By Victoria Stranczek

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released its first Advisory Opinion of 2026,...

2/11/2026 3:05:07 PM

Reed Smith Congratulates Alumna Susan Edwards on Being Named Chief Counsel at HHS-OIG

By Matthew Loughran

The HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) has announced that Susan Edwards, formerly an attorney in Reed Smith’s Life Sciences Health...

2/10/2026 7:51:40 PM

OCR Issues Part 2 Guidance Ahead of the February 2026 Compliance Deadline

By Vicki Tankle Cindy Hsieh

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released new compliance materials governing the...

2/4/2026 5:35:37 PM

HHS OIG Releases Guidance and Solicits Input on Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Programs

By Scot T. Hasselman Selina Coleman Brian Bewley +3 more...

On January 27, 2026, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a...

2/2/2026 6:57:36 PM

OIG Provides Favorable Opinion on Manufacturer Vaccine Discounts

By Peter Terreri

In a December 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a favorable advisory...

1/27/2026 3:41:36 PM

DOJ will Create a National Fraud Enforcement Division

By Roswill Mejia

This month the White House announced that the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) will establish a new National Fraud Enforcement...

1/23/2026 3:08:06 AM

OBLs vs. ASCs: A Retrospective Payment Policy History with a Promising Future for OBLs Following the CY 2026 ASC Payment Systems Final Rule

By Tom Greeson Paul Pitts Liyun Huang

The landscape for office-based labs ("OBLs") continues to evolve rapidly, creating significant opportunities for interventional...

1/21/2026 6:42:06 PM

HHS Establishes Office of Rural Health Transformation, Advancing $50 Billion Rural Health Initiative

By Sabrina Mato

On December 29, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),...