The 91st General Assembly gaveled in last week to begin the 2025 Iowa legislative session. The Republican Party returned to the Capitol with an even stronger hold on the legislature after the 2024 election, increasing their…
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/ Education Law, Elections & Politics, Health
The Iowa Legislature gaveled in yesterday, Monday, January 13, for the first day of session. All returning and newly elected House and Senate members convened at the Capitol for the first year of the 91st General Assembly…
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/ Elections & Politics, Taxation
As we start a new year, January is a great time to plan ways to refresh your compliance programming for the upcoming year. Compliance training and activities can become stale. They often take a backseat to the day-to-day…
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/ Business Organizations, Health
As the ultimate decision-maker for your organization, your governing body needs to understand compliance and appreciate the compliance risks facing the organization as well as what is needed to mitigate those risks. This…
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/ Business Organizations, Health, Privacy
Last month the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (OIG) released its first industry-specific compliance program guidance aimed at nursing facilities (both skilled and non-skilled). The…
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/ Administrative Law, Government Contracting, Health
Holiday gifts are a common marketing tool used by many businesses; however, in healthcare, they can create compliance issues. Most healthcare providers have a gift policy that limits the type of gifts and other business…
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/ Health
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the midst of an off-cycle revalidation process for all Medicare-participating skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), requiring them to submit much more information regarding…
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/ Health
In recent years, LGBTQ+ individuals have seen an unprecedented rollback of many of their basic civil rights at the state and federal levels. There are several steps LGBTQ+ Iowans and others can take to protect themselves and…
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/ Civil Rights, Family Law, Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning
In September, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) updated its corporate compliance program guidance which outlines criteria to look for in determining whether an organization’s compliance program is “adequate and…
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/ Business Organizations, Health
In healthcare, compliance issues can quickly escalate into compliance nightmares, with serious implications for patient safety, legal liability, and an organization’s reputation. Among the most common compliance nightmares today…
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/ Health, Privacy, Science, Computers, & Technology
Election Day 2024 is one week away. On Tuesday, November 5, voters across the United States will head to the polls to cast their ballot in local, state, and national races…
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/ Elections & Politics
Effective December 23, 2024, HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates will be required to comply with new restrictions on how protected health information may be used and disclosed for certain purposes relating to…
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/ Health, Privacy
Healthcare workers nationally are facing an increase in workplace violence, often instigated by patients and visitors. A study published earlier this year reported that almost 20% of healthcare workers have faced physical abuse…
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/ Health, Labor & Employment Law, Professional Malpractice
In 2023, Chief Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Jennifer Abruzzo, issued two memorandums addressing non-disparagement agreements, non-competes, and a variety of other contractual terms such as…
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/ Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Business Organizations, Labor & Employment Law
Informed consent remains critical in healthcare, and over the last several years, there have been multiple updates from agencies and commissions providing clarifications. Most recently in April 2024, Centers for Medicare &…
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/ Administrative Law, Civil Rights, Health
