Our Practice

Health Law

The firm’s health law practice includes representation of tribes and tribal health organizations that operate health facilities ranging in size from major medical centers to village and reservation clinics, in locations across the country.  Our deep understanding of Indian law and tribal governance issues enables us to effectively apply general health law principles to questions that arise in the unique tribal health setting.  

We have extensive experience representing tribes and tribal health organizations in all types of matters, including litigation, involving the Indian Health Service, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), State regulatory agencies and the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of the Inspector General. 

We advise tribal health providers frequently in matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Stark and Anti-kickback statutes and the Medicare and Medicaid rules.  We routinely provide counsel on credentialing, peer review, medical staff bylaws, accreditation, risk management, excluded providers, federal and state audits, internal investigations and compliance programs. 

The firm played a lead role in securing the legislation that reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, successfully represented tribal clients nationwide in the IHS Contract Support Costs litigation, and is now actively working with tribal clients to address the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  The firm actively monitors and participates in Congressional development of federal health care legislation affecting tribal health programs, and counsels clients with respect to compliance and strategic planning in response to new or proposed federal and state rules.