Numerous media reports concern the shortage of medical resources, personal protective equipment, and qualified professionals during the growing COVID-19 medical emergency. As a result, providers may ultimately have to make choices regarding resource allocation among hospitalized patients suffering from COVID-19. Disability rights and other advocacy groups have expressed concern about resource allocation from the point of view of how individuals with pre-existing disabilities and other individuals may have been treated in the past by the medical system. While bioethicists may work to address the ethical issues involved with treating patients under conditions of resource scarcity, providers rightfully may worry about potential legal liability in distributing scarce resources among those in need. While both the Trump Administration and Congress have acted to allay some of these worries, concerns remain for both individual practitioners and the facilities with which they work.
Recent Updates
- FTC Reverses Course on Health App Privacy
- The Battle Continues: No Appointments Clause Problem, BUT Eleventh Circuit Directs District Court to Consider Whether False Claims Act Qui Tam Provisions Violate Take Care, Vesting Clauses
- Bill Gates Gazes into the AI Crystal Ball: What are the Implications on the Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry
- 250+ Health Care Entities Targeted by HHS, DOJ Over Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
- Exclusion Authority (It’s Not Just the HHS-OIG Anymore …)