AHLA Annual Meeting 2024

Lisa Gora and Emma Pelkey, Members of the Firm, speak at the American Health Law Association (AHLA) Annual Meeting, which runs from June 24 to 26 in Washington, DC.

On Monday, June 24, Lisa co-presents “The World of Alternative Substances in Health Care: The Rise in Interest for Use of Cannabis, Ketamine, and Psychedelics (Psilocybin/MDMA) as Emerging Therapies by Practitioners.” Topics include:

• How alternative substances are being looked at as emerging therapies in health care delivery, including the rise in use of ketamine and the rise in interest to use psilocybin, MDMDA and other psychedelic substances in health care delivery models
• The federal Controlled Substances Act and that status of each drug as it relates to a corresponding schedule and the legal significance that plays
• Corporate practice of medicine considerations, informed consent considerations, and other liabilities attendant to this practice area
• Physician Involvement in the recommendation of cannabis, kratom, psilocybin or prescribing of ketamine off-label, which is becoming more prevalent; What are the licensure, malpractice and other issues and considerations to address with physicians, physician groups and health care facilities who/which are considering permitting such substances to be used, possessed, administered or stored on the facility premises
• The clinical trials and clinical research conducted in the area of psychedelics and the role the findings and results from such trials and research play in the discussion regarding potential health plan coverage
• Interest of private equity in emerging therapies and what type of alternative alignment strategies exist for physician practices to partner with private equity

Also on Monday, Emma co-presents “Nowhere to Go: Navigating Complex Patient Discharges.” Presenters discuss:

• The scope of the problem and what populations are most impacted, including a discussion of the impact on behavioral health, elderly, and pediatric patients
• How patients end up stuck in hospitals, including a discussion of EMTALA, safe discharge planning, civil commitment, and other causal factors
• What barriers prevent discharges and the consequences of long lengths of stay
• Statutory and regulatory compliance issues and oversight by federal and state agencies
• Litigation and legislation aimed at removing barriers and creating long-term solutions. Practical, creative, and innovative strategies to reduce lengths of stay and address gaps in the continuum of care, including legal solutions

For more information and to register, please visit AmericanHealthLaw.org.