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Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

BREAKING: Biden Administration Has Officially Ended the Two Remaining COVID Vaccine Mandates

Client Alert

As of May 1, 2023, the Biden Administration has officially ended the two remaining COVID vaccine mandates: (1) the Federal Contractor Mandate, and (2) the CMS Healthcare Provider Vaccine Mandate.

The Contractor mandate, which was never actually enforced, will end on May 11, 2023, coinciding with the formal end of the COVID public health emergency. The CMS mandate will take a bit more time to formally end as it will require official rule making. However, we do not expect enforcement in the interim.

Many of our healthcare clients have these vaccine mandates still in place as a result of the CMS requirement. Therefore, you will need to consider whether you will keep such policies in place moving forward.

BMD’s Labor and Employment and Healthcare teams are here to answer any questions employers may have about compliance with vaccine mandates. If you have any questions about this topic or wish to discuss, please contact Bryan Meek at bmeek@bmdllc.com 


Direct Support Professional Retention Payments

On December 15, the Ohio Senate and House passed House Bill 45, which authorizes the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), in conjunction with the county boards of developmental disabilities, to launch their initiative to issue retention payments to Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). These retention payments will be distributed quarterly to participating home and community-based waiver providers to address the workforce crisis in the direct provider sector. Governor DeWine needs to sign the Bill to begin the payments, but he is expected to do so by the end of 2022.

Real Estate Investors Position for 2023 Opportunities

Real estate investors weathered another year in a post-pandemic world, with the year closing with yet another interest rate increase coupled with both uncertainty and heightened interest carrying into 2023. Just last Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate 0.50 percentage points, shifting the target range to 4.25% to 4.50%. The new level is the highest the fed funds rate has been since December 2007 and marks the seventh rate hike this year. So what does this mean to investors, brokers, lenders, and others in the real estate world? Read a few perspectives below from stakeholders familiar with our BMD clients and the markets in which they do business.

Five Major Trends for Employers to Watch Out For in 2023

Five Major Trends for Employers to Watch Out For in 2023: Major changes may be on the horizon for noncompete clauses. The EEOC is gearing up to file more discrimination lawsuits against employers. The Department of Labor is poised to raise the salary threshold for exempt employees under the FLSA. Unionization momentum may slow in 2023. ESG is the new norm to attract and retain talent.

Patient Abandonment and Termination

Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to patients with whom they have established a treatment relationship. However, there may be some instances when they will need to terminate their relationship with a patient. FAQs for patient abandonment and termination are provided to help guide physicians.

A Business or Person Who Owes You Money Has Filed for Bankruptcy. Now What?

When you receive a notice that someone you do business with has filed for bankruptcy, it is important to act quickly to determine your rights in the bankruptcy process and to protect them. Here are seven things to do right away.