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Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) Repairs Fund Application Open for Eligible Applicants

Client Alert

The Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) Repairs Fund Application is open for eligible organizations and/or operators of recovery housing facilities throughout the state of Ohio!

Funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMHAS) and the Ohio Department of Development (ODD), this opportunity is open for non-ORH certified recovery housing operators seeking to gain certification through ORH and help expand housing opportunities throughout the state of Ohio. Eligible applicants include operators:

  1. who meet the Ohio statutory definition of “Recovery Housing.” See R.C. §340.01(A)(3);
  2. are not currently certified by ORH; and
  3. are owned by the organization operating the recovery house or by the county ADM board.

Eligible applicants may apply for up to $10,000.00 per property (refunded by ORH subsequent to repairs), and funds must be used for physical improvements identified during the ORH certification and inspection processes. The application as well as other certification criteria can be found on the ORH website.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for this funding opportunity, or need any assistance in the ORH application and/or certification processes, please contact Monica Andress at (330) 253-9153 or mbandress@bmdllc.com.


Sharp Rise in False Claims Act Cases - Navigating the FCA Waters

Recently, on April 18, 2023, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the FCA’s scienter, or mental state, requirement. To prove violation of the FCA, the statute requires that a defendant “knowingly” file false claims for payment. The term “knowingly” is defined within the statute to mean a person that acts with actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard. Circuit courts are split on how to interpret and apply the knowledge element of the FCA, and based on the Supreme Court’s decision, there will be a large impact on healthcare defendants and their businesses as well as anyone who contracts with, or receives money from, a federal program. A broader interpretation of the FCA would unnecessarily target and stifle healthcare, and other businesses, for simple errors in daily operations. This goes against the intended application of the FCA, which was to prevent fraudulent activity.

Areas of Opportunity in Columbus: Highlights from the Columbus Opportunity Summit

On April 27, 2023 Columbus Business First held its annual Columbus Opportunity Summit, bringing together business and economic development leaders to provide an update on how Central Ohio is preparing for expected growth in the coming years, an issue heightened by the arrival of Intel at its 1,000 acre site in Licking County, just outside of Columbus. The site will be home to two new chip factories with room to grow to a total of eight factories and is a $20 Billion investment.

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

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.

Important Update: New Advanced Beneficiary Notice in Effect for Medicare on June 30, 2023

On April 4, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OBM) approved an updated Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) form CMS-R-131.[1] Providers can continue using the current ABN form with an expiration date of June 30, 2023.[2] However, all providers are mandated to use the new ABN starting on June 30, 2023, which has an expiration date of January 31, 2026.

Pregnant Employee Protections - New Requirements for Employers

New protections are coming to the workplace for pregnant employees in 2023! In the most sweeping changes since the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, two new federal laws were recently passed: (1) the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (otherwise known as the Pump Act), and (2) the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The requirements of these statutes will require employers with more than 15 employees to implement new policies for their handbooks.