Healthcare Reform Law and Its Impact on Business: Ongoing Information and Analysis from Morgan Lewis

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Healthcare Reform Law) that President Obama signed intlaw on March 23 contains a large number of provisions that will significantly affect businesses in the coming months and years. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act is in the final stages of the legislative process, and if passed, will be folded intthe Healthcare Reform Law. In addition, many aspects of the Healthcare Reform Law will be subject tinterpretation and implementation by multiple executive agencies.

Morgan Lewis is well-informed and ready tassist clients as they weigh the impact of the Healthcare Reform Law on their short- and long-term legal, business, and strategic decisions. We will be closely following developments and analyzing the impact of the many complex and interlocking components of the Healthcare Reform Law in a series of LawFlashes, white papers, and webcasts. Look for updates on the details and potential impact of measures affecting the following areas, among others:

• Healthcare and life sciences industries including

  • Medical devices

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Biologics

  • Hospitals and health systems

  • Academic medical centers

  • Physicians and other members of the healthcare workforce

  • Other healthcare providers and suppliers

  • Insurers

  • Healthcare IT

  • Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D

• Employer group health plans

• Civil and criminal enforcement, including fraud and abuse

• Other litigation trends and strategies

• Compliance program requirements

• Transparency and quality initiatives

• Short- and long-term implications for employers ranging from small businesses tcompanies subject tcollective bargaining tthose affected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

• Insurance exchanges and new insurance product requirements

• Industry competition and consolidation; the viability of mergers and acquisitions

• Tax implications for corporations and individuals

As the legislation nears final approval and the implementation process begins, our attorneys will continue tserve as a resource thelp businesses address complex issues, overcome challenges, and strategically consider opportunities created by one of the most sweeping policy reforms in recent history.

Key members of our cross-practice Healthcare Reform Law resource team include: