CARES Act – Paycheck Protection Program Loan

Policy, Firm Articles, Labor and Employment, COVID-19, Healthcare

On Friday, March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The CARES Act includes a forgivable small business loan program: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Under the PPP loan program, forgivable loans of up to $10 million will be available…

The Department of Treasury, IRS and Department of Labor Announce Plan to Implement Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave for Workers and Tax Credits for Small and Midsize Businesses to Swiftly Recover the Cost of Providing Coronavirus-Related Leave

Labor and Employment, COVID-19, Healthcare, Firm Articles

On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announced that employers with fewer than 500 employees can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related paid leave to their…

Arizona Increases Access to Unemployment Benefits for Those Facing Financial Hardship Because of COVID-19

Firm Articles, Labor and Employment, COVID-19, Healthcare

On March 20, 2020, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order increasing access to unemployment benefits for those facing financial hardship because of COVID-19. These resources will be applied retroactively to hardships experienced after March 11, 2020. The Arizona Department of Economic Security will begin accepting benefits applications March 23, 2020. Unemployment insurance benefits may…

Coronavirus and Telecommuting

Firm Articles, Labor and Employment, COVID-19, Healthcare

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) encouraged employers to consider implementing telecommuting practices to reduce the risk of infection among their workforce.[1] Those employers who implement telecommuting practices should ensure they have an updated, relevant, written telecommuting agreement in place.  A strong telecommuting agreement will…

U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Statute of Limitations in False Claims Act Cases

Fraud and Abuse, Firm Articles, Healthcare

On May 13, 2019, the Supreme Court decided Cochise Consultancy, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Hunt, No. 18-315.  The case has implications for all individuals and entities contracting with the government, including all health care providers who submit claims to the government for payment (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal healthcare programs).  As explained…