On May 8, the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County ordered a health care company to pay more than $30 million in restitution to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) due to the company’s alleged fraudulent billing practices. The underlying criminal convictions and the resulting restitution order reflect a broader trend among state attorneys general (AG), who are taking a more active role in prosecuting and pursuing various forms of health care fraud.
In this crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Regulatory Oversight, Chris Willis, Kim Phan, and Stephen Piepgrass provide insights on a new joint privacy task force among several state AGs, known as the Consortium of Privacy Regulators. The consortium recently outlined goals to share state resources and align enforcement priorities regarding consumer harm and privacy rights. In response to an anticipated shift of regulatory scrutiny from federal agencies to state leaders, this episode focuses on specific steps financial services companies should consider when dealing with consumer privacy, data, complaints, and inquiries to ensure compliance and mitigate potential investigations and enforcement actions.
Compliance Services Colorado, Inc. (CSC) and Colorado Compliance Services, LLC (CCS) (collectively, the parties) recently entered into an Assurance of Discontinuance (AOD) with Colorado Attorney General (AG) Phil Weiser to resolve allegations that, beginning in August 2023, CSC sent deceptive solicitations to businesses in violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.
On May 9, Connecticut Attorney General (AG) William Tong, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, announced a $495,721 false claims settlement with Advanced Dental Center PC (Advanced Dental) and its owners, Tal Yossefi and Elad Yossefi. The settlement resolves allegations that the business violated both state and federal False Claims Act (FCA) statutes by receiving so-called “recruiting fees” for each Connecticut Medicaid patient referred to the business. No liability was admitted as part of the settlement.
Ashley Taylor, Clayton Friedman, Gene Fishel, and Jay Myers of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP discuss actions by state attorneys general under existing and AI-specific laws to address misuse and legal violations of AI.
On May 13, New Jersey Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin announced a proposed $450 million settlement agreement with 3M regarding allegations that, among other issues, contamination of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) emanated from a site now owned by 3M. The settlement resolves these claims and New Jersey’s broader claims that the state and its agencies have or may have in the future regarding PFAS. The settlement agreement remains subject to court approval.
The Massachusetts attorney general’s (AG) office has finalized new consumer protection regulations aimed at eliminating hidden “junk fees” and improving price transparency. Set to take effect on September 2, the regulations apply across a broad range of industries and are intended to curb alleged practices that obscure the actual cost of goods and services.
In this episode of Regulatory Oversight, Stephen Piepgrass is joined by colleagues Brad Weber and Christy Matelis from the firm’s Antitrust Practice Group to explore the evolving landscape of right-to-repair laws across the United States.
Illinois Attorney General (AG) Kwame Raoul and Minnesota AG Keith Ellison have joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a lawsuit to block the acquisition of Surmodics Inc. by GTCR BC Holdings LLC, two major manufacturers of critical medical device coatings. The regulators allege that the merger is anticompetitive, violating Section 7 of the Clayton Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act.
Join us for a special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Regulatory Oversight, where Chris Willis, Kim Phan, and Gene Fishel delve into the evolving world of state AI legislation. As AI becomes a pivotal tool in the financial services industry, understanding the implications of new laws is crucial. This episode focuses on Colorado’s comprehensive AI law and its potential influence on other states, exploring key issues such as algorithmic discrimination, privacy, and cybersecurity. Gain insights into best practices for compliance and learn how state attorneys general are stepping up enforcement in the absence of federal action. Don’t miss this informative discussion bridging consumer finance and regulatory oversight.