News

CMS Publishes Final FY 2016 Update to SNF PPS Rates, Policies

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

On August 4, 2015, CMS published its final rule updating Medicare skilled nursing facility (SNF) PPS rates and policies for FY 2016. CMS projects that the final rule will increase overall payments to SNFs by $430 million, or 1.2%, as compared to FY...

Expediting Patent Prosecution with the New Collaborative Search Pilot Program

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

Two new Collaboration Search Pilot Programs are or will soon be available to patent applicants. The Collaboration Search Pilot Program (CSP) between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) is available...

New Trade Legislation Includes Provisions to Combat Human Trafficking and Forced Labor

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

The June passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation included a provision designed to prevent the United States from making trade deals with governments who fail to do their part in combatting global human trafficking. The legislation...

SEC Explains How to Form a Pre-Existing Relationship Using the Internet; New CDI’s Issued

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

The SEC granted no-action relief to Citizen VC, Inc. which appears to state, although subject to facts and circumstances, a pre-existing relation can be formed with a person that first contacts a seller of securities over the internet. It is...

ESMA AIFMD Opinion and Advice on the Passporting and Private Placement Regimes

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

Background - Under the current structure of the Alternative Investment Fund Manager’s Directive (AIFMD), European firms are permitted to market EU funds to professional investors throughout the European Union through the passport system, whereas...

"SEC Adopts CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure Requirements"

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

On August 5, 2015, in a 3-2 vote, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted final rules implementing the controversial “CEO pay ratio” disclosure requirements that were proposed in 2013 and mandated by Congress pursuant to Section...

Eighth Circuit: No Bad Faith Where Insured Failed to Make a Sufficient Demand and Insurer Refused to Entertain Settlement Offer Prior to Completing Investigation

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

Purscell v. Tico Ins. Co., No. 13-2362, 2015 WL 3855253 (8th Cir. June 22, 2015). Court holds it was not bad faith for insurer to pursue investigation into underlying lawsuit before considering settlement demand. One fatality and severe...

Social Media Week Part V – Tools and Apps for the Compliance Practitioner

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

To conclude this week’s posts, I wanted to list some of the more prevalent social media tools, explain what they are and how you might use them in a compliance program. (As usual I got carried away so this series will conclude on Monday of next...

Second Circuit Clarifies Pleading Standard for Title VII Claims

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

A Second Circuit panel recently revived a former employee’s racial discrimination suit against New York City, reversing in part the Southern District of New York’s dismissal of her case. In Littlejohn v. City of New York, No.14-1395-cv (2d Cir....

International Beer Day: Don't Celebrate With a DUI

By EsqSocial Corporation 07/08/15

Look, it wouldn't be International Beer Day without a few beers. The idea, though, is to not drink a few too many beers. And especially not to get behind the wheel afterwards. No one wants a good celebration ruined with a costly DUI conviction.

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