Broker Regulation

Drugmakers cannot replace upfront discounts with their own rebate models without federal approval, although the ruling leaves HHS free to authorize a future system.

The industry group says its reform effort remains on track despite questions about participation, oversight and continuity-of-care protections.

The court found that The Guardian's reporting about undisclosed bonuses and Medicare Advantage patient care was substantially true or otherwise protected.

"The strong pace of M&A activity continued through the second quarter, while the profile of the organizations pursuing partnerships and the underlying strategic rationale continued to shift," said Courtney Midanek, managing director and coleader of the company's M&A practice.

Agreement clears a key hurdle for Omnicare's Chapter 11 reorganization and planned sale after last year's nearly $949 million fraud judgment.

Williamson Health plans to join Ascension Saint Thomas in a transaction valued at nearly $1 billion, becoming one of the latest independent health systems to pursue a larger partner before financial pressures escalate.