LA hospital agrees to $550K settlement in patient dumping case
Los Angeles-based Silver Lake Medical Center has agreed to pay $550,000 to settle allegations that it discharged hundreds of homeless patients and dumped them at bus stops and train stations.
The 118-bed psychiatric facility came under fire after investigators found at least 750 cases where paperwork for homeless patients indicated they had been discharged to shelters, but they were instead dumped elsewhere.
"It's shameful for a hospital to be dumping people out and essentially saying, 'I don't care what happens to you next,'" Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said.
As part of the settlement, Silver Lake has agreed to end the practice and put new policies in place to ensure homeless patients are discharged to shelters or other facilities. (Associated Press)
Sen. Collins skeptical remade Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade
The news that Justice Anthony Kennedy would retire at the end of this month sparked concern from women's rights activists that a conservative-majority Supreme Court could overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, isn't so sure. She said in an interview with The New York Times' The Daily podcast that Chief Justice John Roberts could vote against overturning that decision. Collins said that Roberts' "respect for precedent and his cautious approach" would make it unlikely for him to vote in favor of striking down that ruling.
Collins will be a crucial swing vote as President Donald Trump looks to fill Kennedy's Supreme Court vacancy.
"My hope is that we will be presented with a nominee that has a certain amount of humility and recognizes that it is not appropriate for the Supreme Court to overturn such a landmark decision," Collins said. (The Hill)
Humana completes purchase of Kindred Healthcare
Humana and its two private equity firm partners have completed their acquisition of Kindred Healthcare.
Kindred's home health business will be split from the rest of the group and renamed Kindred at Home. Humana will own a 40% stake in that entity and will have the option to purchase the rest of the company over time.
Humana, TPG Capital and Welsh, Carlson, Anderson & Stowe announced in December that they intended to purchase Kindred for $4.1 billion. The groups are also expected to finalize a deal to buy hospice provider Curo Health this month. (FierceHealthcare)