Health Trending Topics

Consider writing about:

Private equity trends involving the healthcare field; which areas of healthcare are attracting the most private equity investment activity; factors fueling PE deals involving healthcare; concerns being raised over private equity’s impact on quality of, or access to, healthcare services; implemented state laws or proposed measures that aim to curb private equity’s role in healthcare; how healthcare-related PE activity volume this year compares to prior years.

Related information:

https://www.brown.edu/news/2026-09-08/private-equity-state-tracker

Consider writing about:

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration pilot program aimed at accelerating drug trials; types of trials covered by the program; how the program works; how participants will be chosen for inclusion in the program; program duration; potential pros and cons of participating in the program.

Related information:

https://www.fda.gov/industry/fda-actions-accelerate-and-modernize-early-and-late-stage-clinical-development

Consider writing about:

Continuing disputes over vaccination laws or workplace vaccine mandates; key allegations in lawsuits over such requirements, and related attempts to secure exemptions; how anti-vaccination arguments are faring in the courts; how Trump administration actions, as well as general online misinformation or deliberate disinformation, may be contributing to opposition to vaccination requirements; how employers, school officials, public health officials, or other authorities can best anticipate or respond to resistance to vaccination requirements; what to know about religious arguments against vaccinations, and how to handle those types of claims in particular; additional guidance for healthcare employers or workplaces with medically vulnerable populations; and perhaps some tips geared toward flu season, or a timely flu season news hook to use as a starting point for exploring issues involving vaccinations and the law.

Consider writing about:

How the use of artificial intelligence is catching on in the healthcare field; primary ways AI tools are being used in the healthcare sector; any related concerns (regarding data security, biases, accuracy, etc.) being raised by regulators or others; best practices for individuals or entities who are interested in incorporating AI into their healthcare services.

Related information:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3wjn3pl63xo

Consider writing about:

A multibillion-dollar settlement reached by Facebook over its social media platforms’ alleged harms to young users; new safety features that are mandated under the settlement, or that are already being rolled out; independent oversight role under the Meta settlement; how the settlement money will be used; whether other noteworthy cases regarding social media platforms’ effects on young users are still pending (and/or how the Meta settlement affects those other cases); how other tech companies are responding to the Meta settlement.

Related information:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/meta-reaches-17-billion-settlement-with-states-in-landmark-trial-over-teen-social-media-addiction

Consider writing about:

A recent lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission against telehealth provider Hims & Hers; data privacy, billing, and subscription practices at the heart of this case; alleged violations of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act; related FTC enforcement trends or other FTC actions involving the telehealth industry; what to know about consumers’ privacy rights regarding their health information; practical takeaways for other companies from the FTC’s lawsuit against Hims & Hers.

Related information:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/07/ftc-states-act-against-hims-hers-deceptive-unlawful-privacy-practices

Consider writing about:

An agreement by a North Carolina-based drug manufacturer to pay more than $46 million to resolve kickback allegations; what stands out to you about the Veloxis Pharmaceuticals case and the resulting deferred prosecution agrement; what pharmaceutical companies should know about their obligations under the Open Payments Program (aka the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) and related enforcement trends and liability risks, whether specifically involving the Sunshine Act or, more broadly speaking, involving the False Claims Act, alleged healthcare fraud, and whistleblower activity; how companies may be able to minimize legal fallout after the fact in cases of this type.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/veloxis-pharmaceuticals-agrees-pay-over-46m-resolve-criminal-and-civil-liability-kickback

Consider writing about:

A proposed rule released by the U.S. Department of Labor last month; how it would impact options for communicating health plan information; plans, information, or required disclosures to which the proposed rule applies; what to know about the safe harbor that would be created under the proposed rule.

Related information:

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ebsa/ebsa20260722

Consider writing about:

Lawsuits that were filed against educational institutions in response to pandemic-era shifts in class instruction; what to know about the outcome of these lawsuits; whether any significant lawsuits are still working their way through the courts; how those cases may have educational insitutions rethinking their tuitiion, fee, and refund policies; how educational institutions can best plan for another major disruption to their customary operations.

Consider writing about:

The resolution of a criminal health care fraud investigation into an organization that provides services to an optometry practice and ambulatory surgery center; alleged wrongdoing on the part of Campus Eye Management Holdings and its subsidiary; basis for the U.S. Department of Justice’s granting of a declination in this case; what this case may demonstrate regarding the DOJ’s Corporate Enforcement Policy; what other companies in the health care sector may be able to learn from the Campus Eye Management case and its outcome.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/fraud-division-resolves-fraud-investigation-eye-care-group-under-new-corporate-enforcement

Consider writing about:

A $4.25 million settlement that Wellstar Health System has agreed to in a data privacy case; type of information that Wellstar shared, with whom, and via what means; what this case may illustrate regarding healthcare companies’ data privacy obligations and related risks; a refresher on patient consent, handling of confidential information, and best practcies involving health-related data.

Consider writing about:

How French pharmaceutical company Sanofi recently ran into trouble with European Union antitrust regulators; what this case shows regarding the reach of EU antitrust law and related pitfalls that may arise for companies; any similar cases of note, whether specifically involving pharmaceutical companies or more generally speaking; antitrust-related guidance for companies doing business in the European Union.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-seeks-feedback-sanofis-commitments-addressing-suspected-anti-competitive-2026-07-08

Consider writing about:

Your choice of issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, as we approach the 36th anniversary of the landmark legislation’s signing into law. Possible angles to write about include, but are not limited to, current hot spots in ADA litigation; common employer pitfalls or employee misconceptions involving the ADA; how ADA awareness, compliance, or enforcement have evolved over the years; emerging or possible future legal battlegrounds involving the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Consider writing about:

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals’ agreement to pay $29.6 million to resolve allegations that the company harmed consumers by manipulating the prices of generic medicines and reducing competition; what to know about states’ scrutiny of suspected price-fixing in the pharmaceutical sector; what enforcement trends regarding generic drug pricing illustrate regarding state AGs’ powers and priorities; and perhaps a broader look at trends this year involving price-fixing allegations against drug manufacturers.

Consider writing about:

The Trump administration’s record regarding healthcare fraud; how the administration’s investigations, charges, or other actions compare to those seen under prior administrations; questions regarding the Trump administration’s pardoning of healthcare executives or others convicted of fraud or other crimes relating to healthcare; allegations that the Trump administration is weaponizing investigations of alleged healthcare fraud for political reasons; what healthcare-related entities or executives should be alert to amid the current scrutiny from various quarters of alleged wrongdoing; internal processes that organizations may need to review or strengthen; what to know about responding to a government investigation.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/national-health-care-fraud-takedown-results-455-defendants-charged-connection-over-65

Consider writing about:

A Foreign Corrupt Practices Act case involving French medical device company Balt SAS; individual or corporate behavior that drew enforcement authorities’ attention; how internal investigation processes and self-disclosure played a role in this case; what the Balt case may help illustrate regarding the merits of internal compliance protocols and cooperation with federal or international authorities; additional practical takeaways regarding the U.S. Department of Justice’s Corporate Enforcement Policy, and what the Balt case demonstrates regarding how that policy may play out in real life.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-resolves-foreign-bribery-investigation-balt-sas-healthcare-executive-and

Consider writing about:

The regulatory status of a new type of flu vaccine; what’s significant about Moderna’s mFlusiva vaccine; what to know about mRNA technology; how the pathway for drug approvals is evolving under the second Trump administration; potential obstacles for vaccine manufacturers in particular; broader trends involving mRNA technology.

Related information:

https://apnews.com/article/moderna-flu-vaccine-mrna-fda-advisers-mflusiva-488c68fe39244ca5ebad441a815b4ba2

Consider writing about:

The continuing problem of ransomware attacks against the healthcare sector. Among the possible points to explore: how much of a problem this type of cyberthreat has become for the healthcare industry overall or for specific segments of the industry; how this year’s incidents to date compare to last year’s, in terms of types, frequency, severity, etc.; established or emerging trends as regards common points of entry or weaknesses that are being exploited by cyberattackers; how artificial intelligence may be contributing to ransomware risks for the healthcare sector; how the healthcare industry is, or should be, addressing ransomware threats and the related need for adequate cybersecurity; additional issues involving vendors or other third parties and related liability risks, either for themselves or on the part of their healthcare industry clients; any noteworthy legal, regulatory, or political fallout over ransomware attacks against healthcare entities and the healthcare industry’s cyber-readiness (or lack of same).

Consider writing about:

M&A activity in the healthcare sector (in the region or country of your choice). Choose among such topics as: regulatory scrutiny of proposed mergers or acquisitions; SPACs’ impact on the healthcare sector; or practical takeaways from either successful or thwarted M&A deals. What’s driving healthcare-related mergers or acquisitions these days, and how are they affecting the overall industry? What is the current Trump administration’s attitude toward healthcare M&A, and how does it compare to that of either the Biden administration or the first Trump administration?

Consider writing about:

bankruptcy trends in the healthcare sector; how totals for the first quarter of this year compare to last year’s first quarter; factors contributing to bankruptcies in the healthcare field; practical guidance for healthcare companies on navigating the bankruptcy process.

Consider writing about:

Recent scrutiny of the use of AI tools to provide health care services; practices that are drawing the scrutiny of legislators, regulators, or others; enforcement actions, legislation, lawsuits, or other actions of note; any interesting patterns that may be developing across jurisdictions; what else AI developers or health care practitioners should know about these or similar developments, and how to address concerns and reduce risk.

Related information:

https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/shapiro-administration-sues-character-ai-over-fake-medical-claim

https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB1580.pdf

Consider writing about:

The May 12 resignation of Marty Makary as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; highlights (or “lowlights”) of his term as FDA head; whether Makary left any kind of pronounced stamp on the FDA during his time there; potential candidates as his successor; top challenges or priorities for the FDA this year; what stakeholders should be watching for from the next FDA commissioner.

Related information:

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5819722/fda-commissioner-makary-resigns