In the Headlines
June 21, 2010
Health reform is wonder drug for D.C. firms
The National Law Journal
Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group Leader Rich Gold and Healthcare & Life Sciences Partner Michael Gaba were quoted in a National Law Journal article titled, "Health reform is wonder drug for D.C. firms."
The article discusses the impact of healthcare reform on law firms with Washington regulatory practices and healthcare specialties. The Clean Air Act "threw off work for most of the '90s, and this is bigger than that," said Mr. Gold. Clients want help navigating and influencing rulemaking going on at federal agencies, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They also want to make sure that prior lobbying isn't undone by a regulatory decision. For example, explained Mr. Gaba, the National Hemophilia Foundation successfully lobbied against allowing lifetime caps on benefits. Now, the group is examining whether loopholes could be created during rulemaking and wants assistance in monitoring developments. "A lot of mischief can happen in the regulatory process," he said.
The article discusses the impact of healthcare reform on law firms with Washington regulatory practices and healthcare specialties. The Clean Air Act "threw off work for most of the '90s, and this is bigger than that," said Mr. Gold. Clients want help navigating and influencing rulemaking going on at federal agencies, specifically the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They also want to make sure that prior lobbying isn't undone by a regulatory decision. For example, explained Mr. Gaba, the National Hemophilia Foundation successfully lobbied against allowing lifetime caps on benefits. Now, the group is examining whether loopholes could be created during rulemaking and wants assistance in monitoring developments. "A lot of mischief can happen in the regulatory process," he said.