Latest news with #HIPAA
NBC News
2 hours ago
- NBC News
Jury awards $2.25 million to parents of decapitated baby whose autopsy was shared on social media
A jury in Fulton County, Georgia, awarded $2.25 million in damages to the parents of a baby who was decapitated during delivery and whose autopsy was posted on social media without his parents' consent. The parents, Treveon Taylor and Jessica Ross, will receive $2 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages against the pathologist who posted the video, Dr. Jackson Gates, and Medical Diagnostic Choices in Atlanta. The parents sued Gates in September 2023 for alleged invasion of privacy, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress. "While we are pleased that a jury punished Dr. Jackson Gates for his reprehensible behavior, nothing can ease the pain that the parents, Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor, Sr., have experienced in losing their baby boy in such a horrific way," attorneys for the family said in a statement Wednesday. Gates did not immediately immediately respond to an NBC News request for comment. The baby was deceased at the time of his delivery on July 10, 2023, the lawsuit stated. On July 12, Ross contracted Gates to conduct an autopsy for $2,500. Ross and Taylor did not permit Gates to share images of the autopsy, through the contract or verbally, according to the lawsuit. Gates uploaded multiple videos to his Instagram account that month showing "in graphic and grisly detail a postmortem examination of the decapitated, severed head of Baby Isaiah," as well as the baby's body, the suit stated. At the time, Gates' social media account showed a history of posting photos and videos of other autopsies. That account has been taken down but he has at least one other account on YouTube. 'After the decapitation of their baby, Gates poured salt into the couple's already deep wounds when he betrayed them,' the family's attorneys said. Gates told NBC News in March 2024, after he was initially found liable in the case, that he had not violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) due to a clause that allows physicians to inform the public when there are safety concerns in health care. 'I have not violated HIPAA, it is not required by a physician to get consent to report a crime or some sort of health issue to the public,' Gates said at the time. 'I've been doing this for 15 years, publishing my autopsy cases to explain to the public the victimization of those persons who have died.' The parents sent a cease-and-desist letter in August 2023 for the videos of their child to be immediately removed; they filed a lawsuit against Gates the following month. Ross and Taylor also sued the facility where the delivery took place, Southern Regional Medical Center, and obstetrician Dr. Tracey St. Julian — who is a member of a private practice and not the hospital — for "ridiculously excessive force" used during the delivery of their son. The baby did not properly descend during labor, likely due to shoulder dystocia, a condition that occurs when a baby's shoulder is caught behind the mother's pubic bone, according to the lawsuit against the medical providers. St. Julian tried to deliver the baby vaginally using different methods, including excessive traction resulting in decapitation, skull and facial bone fractures and other injuries, the suit states. Ross asked for a Cesarean section "while the baby was viable," the parents' attorney Roderick Edmond said at a news conference in 2023, and instead was told to keep pushing for three hours. The baby was ultimately delivered through an emergency C section, which the lawsuit alleges St. Julian failed to perform in a "timely and proper manner" and resulted in the child's death. Southern Regional Medical Center denied the "allegations of wrongdoing" at the time and said in a statement, "This unfortunate infant death occurred in utero prior to the delivery and decapitation." In February 2024, the Clayton County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the baby's death a homicide caused by 'actions of another person,' stating his death resulted from a fracture of cervical vertebrae in the spine. St. Julian's practice and lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Southern Regional Medical Center.
Time Business News
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time Business News
Building a Center of Excellence: Your IOP Startup Roadmap
The foundation of a successful Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) lies in a clear and compelling clinical identity. Decide what populations your program will serve—adolescents, adults, or individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Choose your therapeutic modalities with intention, whether grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, trauma-informed care, or integrative holistic practices. Your program philosophy should distinguish your services while remaining evidence-based and outcomes-focused. This clarity guides your operational decisions and builds trust with clients and referral partners. Launching a structured outpatient program begins with a clear vision and a commitment to meeting community needs. It requires careful planning, including licensing, staffing, facility setup, and curriculum design tailored to mental health or substance use recovery. Understanding how to start an IOP program involves navigating regulatory requirements, insurance credentialing, and clinical protocols that ensure quality care. In the middle of this process, building partnerships with local providers and aligning with evidence-based practices is essential. With the right team and infrastructure, an IOP can provide flexible, impactful care that supports long-term recovery while allowing clients to maintain daily responsibilities. Launching an IOP requires navigating a web of licensing and regulatory requirements. Begin by consulting your state's behavioral health agency to determine licensure categories and service definitions. Your program will need written policies on clinical procedures, admissions criteria, discharge planning, and safety protocols. HIPAA compliance must be embedded into your documentation systems, communication tools, and facility design. Consider pursuing national accreditation through CARF or The Joint Commission to demonstrate clinical quality, bolster payer confidence, and attract higher-level referral partnerships. A financially sound IOP begins with a realistic budget and revenue model. Estimate startup costs including facility renovation, staffing, software systems, licensing fees, marketing, and insurance. Construct a detailed financial projection covering fixed and variable costs, census targets, and payer reimbursement rates. Establish your billing infrastructure early, with processes for verifying benefits, authorizations, claims submission, and appeals. Decide on your payer mix—commercial insurance, Medicaid, private pay—and ensure contracts are in place. Financial viability depends not just on census volume but on efficient billing and collection systems. Your physical environment should support both therapeutic effectiveness and operational efficiency. Select a location with high visibility, public transit access, and appropriate healthcare zoning. Design the space to include private therapy offices, group rooms, intake areas, administrative workstations, and restrooms that meet ADA standards. Incorporate calming, professional aesthetics that promote a sense of safety and dignity. Ensure privacy with soundproofing and layout strategies that avoid congestion or patient overlap. The right space reinforces your program's credibility and contributes directly to patient retention. The clinical and operational staff you hire will define your center's culture and effectiveness. Recruit licensed therapists, case managers, group facilitators, peer support specialists, and an experienced clinical director to oversee programming. Include administrative staff trained in behavioral health billing, scheduling, and compliance. Prioritize emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and alignment with your mission. Provide clear roles, clinical supervision, and continuing education to support growth and accountability. A cohesive team builds continuity of care and client satisfaction. Structure is key in IOP delivery. Develop a weekly treatment schedule that balances individual sessions, psychoeducation, process groups, and family involvement. Set clear participation expectations and define pathways for step-down or referral to higher levels of care. Create protocols for assessments, treatment planning, safety risk management, medication coordination, and progress evaluation. Use an EHR system tailored to behavioral health to streamline documentation, improve billing accuracy, and monitor outcomes. Consistent, replicable programming forms the bedrock of clinical excellence. A thoughtful, compliant marketing strategy ensures a strong launch. Develop branding and messaging that communicate professionalism, compassion, and clarity of services. Create referral partnerships with hospitals, therapists, school systems, and primary care physicians. Launch a website optimized for SEO with online intake forms, service details, and clinician bios. Use educational content and community presentations to establish authority and visibility. Ethical outreach—grounded in trust and transparency—positions your IOP as a preferred provider in the continuum of care. Establishing a behavioral health facility requires more than just clinical expertise—it demands strict adherence to regulatory standards. Organizations must navigate a maze of rules and documentation to ensure their operations meet state-specific requirements. In the middle of this process, DHCS Licensing for behavioral health becomes a pivotal step, determining whether a provider can legally deliver services in California. This licensing ensures that facilities uphold safety, ethical care, and treatment standards. Securing it involves thorough preparation, including policy development, facility inspections, and staff qualifications. Successfully obtaining licensure not only legitimizes the practice but also lays the groundwork for sustainable, high-quality care. Building an Intensive Outpatient Program isn't simply a business venture—it's the architecture of recovery. From licensing and staffing to financial sustainability and therapeutic integrity, every step must be handled with diligence and vision. When constructed with clinical rigor and operational discipline, your IOP becomes more than a treatment center; it becomes a beacon of support, resilience, and transformation for those navigating the road to mental wellness and recovery. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Brownstone Consulting Firm Expands Its Services, Bringing Its Cybersecurity Expertise to Europe and Africa
Brownstone Consulting Firm (BCF), a service-disabled veteran-owned cybersecurity and program support enterprise, announced its international expansion into Europe and Africa. Founded and led by decorated U.S. Navy veteran Cordell Robinson, BCF's global push aims to meet the increasing cybersecurity demands of rapidly developing economies while investing in long-term digital resilience and workforce education. With a foundation built on military-grade discipline, technical rigor, and visionary leadership, BCF delivers tailored cybersecurity services to both public and private sector clients. The firm specializes in AI governance, GDPR and HIPAA compliance, risk and vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, patch management, and cybersecurity training, among other offerings. Through this expansion, BCF seeks to strengthen digital infrastructure in emerging markets, particularly those on the brink of becoming global economic powerhouses. BCF's African outreach is more than just a business strategy; it's deeply personal. Robinson, whose Shaping Futures Foundation operates an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania, has spent years immersed in local communities across the continent. "For me, this expansion is about transferring, yes, technology services, but also knowledge," Robinson added. "It's about empowering others to protect their digital ecosystems, educate new cyber professionals, and support their nations' growth sustainably." Brownstone Consulting Firm At its core, Brownstone Consulting Firm is driven by a clear mission: providing confidence in a world of cyber risk. At a time when cyberspace powers the backbones of governments, healthcare systems, financial institutions, and businesses of every size, BCF believes in one central ethos: cybersecurity is a true necessity. The company sets itself apart through its relentless focus on enterprise resilience. Whether addressing malicious cyberattacks or accidental breaches, BCF's methodology is grounded in repeatable, scalable processes that translate seamlessly from technical teams to boardrooms. "We believe in hardening digital infrastructure to be resistant to disruption and cyber threats," Robinson explained. "That means setting the right standards, creating practical policies, and constantly adapting to a rapidly evolving threat landscape." BCF's leadership, drawn from veterans, technologists, legal experts, and intelligence professionals, brings a multidisciplinary approach to every engagement. From FISMA and SOX compliance to the latest in AI-driven analysis, BCF carefully anticipates and solves cybersecurity challenges. Robinson, who holds many degrees, including in computer science, electrical engineering, and law, says the timing is ideal for global expansion. "The economic and digital development across Europe and Africa presents an incredible opportunity," said Robinson. "We're seeing rapid growth in infrastructure, digital finance, healthcare systems, and tech startups; true entrepreneurial talent, vision, and ambition. They deserve cybersecurity infrastructure that matches that energy." In Europe, BCF is offering GDPR-focused assessments and governance models tailored to the evolving regulatory environment. In Africa, BCF will primarily operate remotely in its early stages, leveraging local partnerships and digital platforms while maintaining a strong on-the-ground presence through its foundation's education efforts. These education efforts will include a cutting-edge training program, providing a pathway for African cybersecurity professionals to compete globally. Part of what makes BCF a leader in its space is its commitment to innovation. As AI continues to redefine the cybersecurity landscape, Robinson and his team are actively developing ethical AI tools that enhance the expertise of cyber professionals. "AI is not here to do the job for cybersecurity professionals," Robinson said affirmatively. "It's here to support them, to make their work more efficient, more accurate, and more strategic. We're building tools that can enhance vulnerability detection, simulate attacks, and assess readiness without compromising ethical standards." BCF's forward-thinking approach aims to ensure that cybersecurity professionals in all markets can leverage cutting-edge tools without being left behind.
The Hill
a day ago
- Health
- The Hill
Texas district judge overturns Biden rule on expanded abortion privacy protections
A Texas federal judge late Wednesday overturned a Biden administration rule designed to keep prosecutors from getting the medical records of patients seeking legal abortions or gender-affirming care by boosting privacy protections for women's reproductive health information. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo ruled the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acted unlawfully when it expanded the scope of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy law last April. Kacsmaryk wrote that the Biden administration 'invoked HIPAA as a shield against abortion-restrictive states.' He said the rule was written to protect 'politically preferred procedures' like abortion and gender transitions but that HIPAA doesn't give HHS the ability to 'distinguish between types of health information to accomplish political ends.' 'Thus, HHS lacks the authority to issue regulations that enact heightened protections for information about politically favored procedures,' he wrote. Such action should only be taken by Congress, he wrote, especially because the issues are of major political significance. 'The 2024 rule creates special rules for information about these politically favored procedures that implicate fundamental and hotly debated questions,' he wrote. The rule prohibits health care providers and insurers from giving information about a legal abortion to state law enforcement authorities who are seeking to punish someone in connection with that abortion. The 2024 rule came in the wake of concerns that patients who travel to clinics for legal abortion or reproductive care will eventually have their records sought following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Late last year, Kacsmaryk temporarily blocked HHS from enforcing the rule against the Texas doctor who had brought the lawsuit. Carmen Purl, a Texas physician, sued to declare the rule 'arbitrary and capricious' and 'in excess of statutory authority,' in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. Wednesday's decision blocks the rule nationwide. Kacsmaryk, who was appointed by President Trump in his first term, has become a go-to judge for blocking Biden-era rules nationwide. Texas has filed a separate lawsuit challenging the rule, which is pending in federal court in Lubbock. HHS in a court filing last month said the Trump administration is evaluating its position in this case.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
R. Kelly claims his ‘life remains in imminent danger' as prison officials ‘refuse to give him meds' for blood clots
KELLY'S CRISIS R. Kelly claims his 'life remains in imminent danger' as prison officials 'refuse to give him meds' for blood clots R. KELLY has claimed that prison officials are endangering his life by refusing to give him medication, a new court filing reveals. The disgraced R&B singer claimed he is being denied blood thinners despite being diagnosed with blood clots after he was hospitalized for an overdose in jail, The U.S. Sun can exclusively report. Advertisement 3 R. Kelly's legal team said the disgraced singer is still not getting his medication after allegedly being diagnosed with several blood clots Credit: Getty 3 R. Kelly's attorneys had a 4 hour meeting with the singer behind bars, and they say their client's life is in imminent danger Credit: AP In a filing on Wednesday, his attorney, Beau Brindley, said he and Kelly's co-counsel had just met with the singer for four hours. In that conversation, Kelly's team claimed their client still hadn't been given life-saving medication after being diagnosed with blood clots last week. In the filing, his attorney said after returning "from the hospital with medically CONFIRMED blood clots, Mr. Kelly is still not getting his prescribed blood thinners." In the federal court filing, his team continued: "After the meeting and obtainment of a signed HIPAA waiver, counsel travelled to Duke University Hospital to seek medical documents that are quickly becoming critical. Advertisement "We have confirmed Mr. Kelly's presence at Duke University Hospital. We have confirmed the overdose. We have confirmed the blood clots. "But we need the medical documents to support it, which require extensive bureaucratic procedural steps. Those were taken," the filing continued. As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Kelly was rushed to the hospital after allegedly being given an extra dose of his medication. According to a filing by his attorney, the overdose occurred after prison staff at the Federal Correctional Institute Facility in North Carolina administered the medications. Advertisement The musician, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, is currently serving a 30-year sentence following his 2021 conviction on racketeering and sex trafficking charges in New York. On June 10, Kelly was placed in solitary confinement and given anxiety medication, his attorney Beau B. Brindley stated. He was later administered additional medications and instructed to take them, according to court documents reviewed by The Sun. However, three days later, Kelly reported feeling "faint" and "dizzy." Kelly's legal team accused prison officials of punishing him with isolation after he filed an emergency motion. Advertisement The singer reported seeing "black spots in his vision" before he passed out and was rushed to Duke University Hospital on Friday. While in the ambulance, Kelly claims to have heard one of the prison officers say, "This is going to open a whole new can of worms," according to court documents. Kelly's legal team claimed that his deteriorating health was caused by being administered dangerously high doses of medication. While hospitalized, medical staff discovered blood clots in Kelly's legs and lungs and planned to keep him for surgery, according to his attorney, Beau B. Brindley. Advertisement However, prison officials reportedly removed Kelly from the hospital and returned him to the facility, placing him back in solitary confinement. Kelly's defense attorney filed a motion on June 10, asking for his immediate release to escape an alleged murder-for-hire plot by prison officials and another inmate. 3 Kelly is serving a 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking Credit: Getty More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Advertisement Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
