Academic health center legal counsel are responsible for a broad scope of issues and activities within their institutions. The Legal Counsel ELG provides a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences among member institutions and is focusing on diverse issues including:

Health Reform

The enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, Pub L 111-148) presents numerous interpretive challenges and legal issues for academic health centers. The AAHC continues to analyze the legal implications of PPACA as it progresses through implementation and the evolving regulatory framework.

New Legislative and Regulatory Requirements

The past year has seen considerable growth in new legislative and regulatory requirements, especially with respect to fraud and abuse enforcement, as well as increased liability for false claims. The AAHC is continuing to work with member institutions to identify new or increased liabilities and effective strategies to manage legal risk.

Tax Treatment of Non-profits

A number of challenges have been raised at both the state and federal level regarding the criteria for continued favorable tax treatment of non-profit entities, including rulings in the Provena case and the outcomes of ongoing congressional hearings. The AAHC is monitoring these activities and, with the Legal Counsel ELG, developing policy responses as needed.

Next Meeting

TBD

Leadership

Susan Collingwood, JD (Co-Chair), Senior University Counsel for Health Affairs, University of Florida

Andrea Jahn, JD (Co-Chair), Associate Counsel for Health Services and University Privacy Officer, Creighton University