INSIDE COMPLIANCE – Page 83 – Loyola University Chicago School of Law

How “Bring Your Own Device” Policies Increase Privacy Concerns

September 17, 2018Uncategorized

With the increased integration of laptops, cellphones, and tablets in both work and personal life, many companies have started adopting a “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy into employment protocols. BYOD policies allow employees to use their personal device for work, removing the need for employers to provide work devices. Although BYOD policies allow for easy transition from home to work, they increase security risks for employers. BYOD policies create differing advantages and disadvantages for employees and employers; thus, it is important that they are carefully assessed before implementation. If a BYOD policy is adopted, strict regulation and oversight of company policies and procedures is required.

Privacy & Security

The Woes of Hanford Workers: Convoluted Contracts and Burdensome Bureaucracy

September 14, 2018Uncategorized

Since the Hanford Site stopped producing plutonium in 1987, contractors continue to clean up leftover radioactive contamination and hazardous solid and liquid waste. Although precautions are being taken to prevent workers from being contaminated by or exposed to the waste, the risk remains and worker’s compensation claims follow. The Department of Energy (DOE) OIG recently published an audit report concluding that the DOE does not have effective policies and procedures concerning the Workers’ Compensation Program at the Hanford Site.

Columbia RiverContractorsDepartment of EnergyDepartment of Labor and IndustriesEnergyEnvironmental Protection Agencyenvironmental regulationEPAHanfordHanford SiteHanford Workplace Engagement CenterHWECKennewickNuclear EnergyNuclear ReactorPascoPenser North AmericaPlutoniumRichlandSenator CantwellSenator Maria CantwellSenator MurraySenator Patty MurrayState of WashingtonToxic WasteWashington StateWorker's Compensation

Newly Added Regional Medicare Fraud Strike Force Targets Opioid Crisis

September 14, 2018Fraud & Abuse

One month after the largest health care fraud enforcement action was taken, the Assistant Attorney General, Brian A. Benczkowski, of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, announced the addition of the Newark/Philadelphia Regional Medicare Strike Force. The newly added 11th Medicare Strike Force will largely focus on healthcare fraud that is contributing to the opioid epidemic.

healthcaremedicareOpioid

Following Classification of Cryptocurrencies as Commodities, Regulators Shift Focus

September 13, 2018Finance & Banking

On March 6th, 2018 the. District Court for the Eastern District of New York upheld the classification of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Litecoin, as commodities. The ruling subjects the cryptocurrencies to the regulation of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

CFTCcomplianceCryptocurrencyfinancefinancial regulationRegulationSEC

Can Congress Regulate Big Pharma?

September 13, 2018Uncategorized

Drug companies need to fund the research and development necessary to create better products. This means that pharmaceutical companies have fought for years to maintain control over the prices of said drugs. But this standard is being challenged with a new bill that was introduced to the House of Representatives on June 25, 2018.

Big Pharmacompliancecompulsory licensesdrug pricinghealth care complianceHealth InsurancehealthcareMedicare reformpharmaceuticalRegulation

Trump Tower Sued for Non-Compliance with Clean Water Act

September 12, 2018Uncategorized

Trump Tower is one of many buildings along the Chicago River that uses river water for its cooling systems. Trump Tower is the second largest intake system from the river. Illinois Attorney General, Madigan, filed a lawsuit against the property to ensure that such a large quantity user is not allowed to continue to violate the law. As the value of riverfront property rise, and development continues, enforcement of these types of permits is likely to increase.

1972 Clean Water ActAttorney General Madigancomplianceenvironmental regulationIllinois Pollution Control BoardNPDES Permit

Is Your Fitness Tracker Violating Your Privacy Rights?

September 11, 2018HIPAA & Health Information

An increasing number of companies are providing fitness trackers for their employees as a part of their benefits package. The use of fitness trackers has been steadily growing over the past few years, and is predicted to hit a shipment size of 240.1 million devices by 2021. Even though the popularity of these fitness trackers has boomed, their compliancy with HIPAA has not kept up with them as quickly. A few companies that make fitness trackers have become HIPAA compliant, such as Fitbit and Apple. However, some companies have remained silent as to whether they are or plan on becoming compliant. While fitness trackers have been shown to have an overall positive effect in corporate wellness programs, corporations should remain up to date with how to keep their employees’ health information secure as well as ensure that the fitness tracker that they are providing is HIPAA compliant.

EmploymentPrivacy & Security

PFAS Contamination Crisis; States Urge EPA to Defy Trump Deregulation

September 10, 2018Uncategorized

President Trump has made his opinion of federal regulations known from the very start of his presidency. He clearly believes that federal regulations, especially those established by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), inhibit economic growth and unduly burden American businesses. However, it is equally unclear how his deregulatory efforts have benefitted anyone other than corporate America. Rather than utilizing his considerable influence to protect the health of the American people, President Trump and his administration have been hard at work unraveling such protections, much to the frustration of the states.

deregulationEnvironmental Protection Agencyenvironmental regulationEPAmichiganPFAS contaminationSafe Drinking Water ActTrump

Compliance Failures Result in Hundreds of Accidental Foreclosures

September 6, 2018Finance & Banking

Compliance failures in banking can often result in real harm to borrowers. In the case of Wells Fargo, a compliance error resulted in 400 of the bank’s customers losing their homes. Due to an issue in the bank’s software system, the institution denied loan modifications to borrowers who should have qualified. This latest failure adds to the myriad of issues Wells Fargo bungled over the past several months. For compliance professionals, the failure demonstrates the risks of automation in compliance, the importance of technical expertise, and the risks of decision-making without putting the interests of the customer first.

BankingBanksfinanceForeclosureMortgageWells Fargo

Call for Papers: February 15, 2019 Compliance Symposium

September 5, 2018Uncategorized

“What is the Future of Compliance in Enterprise Risk Management?” February 15, 2019 Loyola University Chicago School of Law Philip H. Corboy Law Center Power Rogers & Smith Ceremonial Courtroom 25 E. Pearson Street Call for Papers The Center for Compliance Studies at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and The Loyola Journal of Regulatory …
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