California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently announced a proposed settlement with Carbon Health Technologies, Inc., which operates primary care clinics throughout the state. The settlement follows allegations that the company’s physician practice management structure ran afoul of California’s corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) doctrine, as well as certain state consumer protection and billing laws. Carbon
American College of Physicians Issues Position Paper on Private Equity in Healthcare
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recently issued a new position paper entitled “Regulatory Framework for Private Equity and Corporatization in Health Care” that examines the impact of private equity on healthcare costs, access, equity, innovation, and clinical autonomy. The ACP is the largest specialty organization in the U.S., with 163,000 members including
Aspen Dental Reaches CPOM Settlement with CA AG
Aspen Dental, one of the nation’s largest dental service organizations (DSOs), recently settled charges alleging violations of California’s corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) and unfair competition laws. This was not the first time similar charges had been lodged against Aspen Dental; in 2015, it entered into a settlement with the New York Attorney General after
Examining the Role and Impact of Private Equity in Healthcare – A Comprehensive Analysis
A recent report issued by The NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights entitled “Private Equity and Healthcare: Balancing Profit with Wellness” examined the expanding role of private equity in the healthcare sector, concluding that “Private Equity’s combination of legal immunity, public anonymity, and financialized ownership creates a culture that often prioritizes profits over
FTC Forms Task Force to Investigate Healthcare Transactions, Deceptive Marketing
On March 20, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a memorandum announcing the formation of a Healthcare Task Force dedicated to addressing unlawful business practices within the healthcare sector. The memorandum emphasizes that industry consolidation and anticompetitive conduct have contributed to “higher prices, decreased quality, less access and transparency, and stifled innovation.” According to the FTC
NYS Warns On Unlawful Activities by Med Spas
Earlier this month, the New York Department of State (DOS) published a warning to consumers following an extensive investigation of so-called “med spas.” The DOS’s Division of Licensing led the investigation, in which 223 businesses were inspected.
The publication initially addressed the need for businesses that hold themselves out to the public as med spas
Gov. Hochul Seeks Increased Scrutiny, Oversight of Health Care M&A
This week, Governor Hochul announced a proposal significantly expanding state scrutiny over corporate health care transactions. This proposal reiterates previously expressed concerns that both private equity and health system acquisitions of medical and dental practices lead to reduced access to care, declining quality and higher prices.
While stopping short of requiring actual Health Department
FTC Abandons Non-Compete Ban but Signals Continued Scrutiny
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has formally abandoned its effort to implement a nationwide prohibition on employer non-compete agreements, marking the end of one of the most closely watched regulatory battles in recent years. While the sweeping ban will not take effect, the agency has made clear that restrictive covenant practices remain firmly on its
NYS DOH Releases New Electronic Material Transaction Form
Just last week, we reported that the 2025/26 NYS Budget Bill did not include a provision that would have increased the requirements for seeking Department of Health (DOH) approval of a material healthcare transaction (which generally means one that increases revenues from healthcare services by at least $25 million) [here]. We have previously
Expanded Healthcare Transaction Notice/Review Dropped from Final 2025/26 NYS Budget Bill
We recently wrote about proposed legislation that would have substantially increased the existing reporting requirements for material healthcare transactions in NYS that have existed since Public Health Law (PHL) Article 45-A was enacted two years ago. We provided a detailed review of the current PHL 45-A here and here.
The proposed legislation would have