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Sunday, October 5, 2025

2:00 PM - 7:30 PM Registration Open
Welcome to the 38th Annual Texas Health Law Conference! We are so glad to have you join us!
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Welcome Reception
Join us at 6 PM for light refreshments and a cash bar! Catch up with old friends and make new ones. Sponsored by TBD.
2:00 PM - 7:30 PM Registration Open
Welcome to the 38th Annual Texas Health Law Conference! We are so glad to have you join us!
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Welcome Reception
Join us at 6 PM for light refreshments and a cash bar! Catch up with old friends and make new ones. Sponsored by TBD.

2:00 PM - 7:30 PM Registration Open
Welcome to the 38th Annual Texas Health Law Conference! We are so glad to have you join us!
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Welcome Reception
Join us at 6 PM for light refreshments and a cash bar! Catch up with old friends and make new ones. Sponsored by TBD.

Monday, October 6, 2025

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Registration Open and Monday Breakfast
Sponsored by TBD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Annual Liability Update
Learn about key cases that impacted the healthcare industry and your practice during the past year, including emerging legal issues and theories in health law. Key regulatory changes will be covered, and attendees will be provided with a comprehensive paper for use as a “go to” resource guide throughout the year.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Trade-Offs: Untangling the U.S. Healthcare Paradox
The United States faces a striking contradiction in healthcare: despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDP—and over a quarter of government expenditures—on health, outcomes and access continue to trail those of peer nations. With rising federal debt and economic uncertainty intensifying scrutiny of healthcare spending, policymakers are under growing pressure to deliver better value. This panel offers a concise, policy- and economics-focused overview of U.S. healthcare spending—past and present—exploring where the money goes, the trade-offs embedded in our system, and the deeper nuances behind the perception that we “spend more but get less.” The session concludes with a critical look at recent and proposed state and federal reforms aimed at curbing costs and improving efficiency and assesses whether these efforts are likely to meaningfully shift the trajectory of American healthcare.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Space Health Law Talk
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Morning Refreshments
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM 2025 State Healthcare Legislative Landscape
Following the completion of Texas's 89th Regular Legislative Session earlier this year, this session covers key legislative updates affecting the health care regulatory and legislative landscape in Texas. Join Micah Rodriguez, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations, with Harris Health, Eamon Reilly, Associate General Counsel of the Texas Medical Association and Janet Walker, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Community Health Plans for an insider's perspective on the forces shaping the Texas Capitol and beyond.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
AI-Enforcement-reimbursement-compliance
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Networking Luncheon
Sponsored by our Diamond sponsor JTaylor
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Healthcare Industry Civil Enforcement Update
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM Healthcare Industry Criminal Enforcement Update
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Afternoon Refreshments
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Privacy/Cyber Security - Lessons Learned
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM What Every Healthcare Lawyer Needs to Know About ERISA
This session is designed to provide healthcare attorneys with practical tools to recognize when an issue may fall under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). From direct-to-employer agreements to wellness plans, ERISA issues can be easy to overlook until it’s too late. Learn how to identify key ERISA triggers and avoid common pitfalls.
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM Networking Reception - Sponsored by Nichols Weitzner LLP
Join us for our Networking Reception graciously sponsored by our Platinum sponsor Nichols Weitzner LLP.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Registration Open and Monday Breakfast
Sponsored by TBD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Annual Liability Update
Learn about key cases that impacted the healthcare industry and your practice during the past year, including emerging legal issues and theories in health law. Key regulatory changes will be covered, and attendees will be provided with a comprehensive paper for use as a “go to” resource guide throughout the year.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Trade-Offs: Untangling the U.S. Healthcare Paradox
The United States faces a striking contradiction in healthcare: despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDP—and over a quarter of government expenditures—on health, outcomes and access continue to trail those of peer nations. With rising federal debt and economic uncertainty intensifying scrutiny of healthcare spending, policymakers are under growing pressure to deliver better value. This panel offers a concise, policy- and economics-focused overview of U.S. healthcare spending—past and present—exploring where the money goes, the trade-offs embedded in our system, and the deeper nuances behind the perception that we “spend more but get less.” The session concludes with a critical look at recent and proposed state and federal reforms aimed at curbing costs and improving efficiency and assesses whether these efforts are likely to meaningfully shift the trajectory of American healthcare.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Space Health Law Talk
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Morning Refreshments
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM 2025 State Healthcare Legislative Landscape
Following the completion of Texas's 89th Regular Legislative Session earlier this year, this session covers key legislative updates affecting the health care regulatory and legislative landscape in Texas. Join Micah Rodriguez, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations, with Harris Health, Eamon Reilly, Associate General Counsel of the Texas Medical Association and Janet Walker, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Community Health Plans for an insider's perspective on the forces shaping the Texas Capitol and beyond.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
AI-Enforcement-reimbursement-compliance
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Networking Luncheon
Sponsored by our Diamond sponsor JTaylor
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Healthcare Industry Civil Enforcement Update
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM Healthcare Industry Criminal Enforcement Update
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Afternoon Refreshments
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Privacy/Cyber Security - Lessons Learned
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM What Every Healthcare Lawyer Needs to Know About ERISA
This session is designed to provide healthcare attorneys with practical tools to recognize when an issue may fall under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). From direct-to-employer agreements to wellness plans, ERISA issues can be easy to overlook until it’s too late. Learn how to identify key ERISA triggers and avoid common pitfalls.
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM Networking Reception - Sponsored by Nichols Weitzner LLP
Join us for our Networking Reception graciously sponsored by our Platinum sponsor Nichols Weitzner LLP.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Registration Open and Monday Breakfast
Sponsored by TBD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Annual Liability Update
Learn about key cases that impacted the healthcare industry and your practice during the past year, including emerging legal issues and theories in health law. Key regulatory changes will be covered, and attendees will be provided with a comprehensive paper for use as a “go to” resource guide throughout the year.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Trade-Offs: Untangling the U.S. Healthcare Paradox
The United States faces a striking contradiction in healthcare: despite spending nearly one-fifth of its GDP—and over a quarter of government expenditures—on health, outcomes and access continue to trail those of peer nations. With rising federal debt and economic uncertainty intensifying scrutiny of healthcare spending, policymakers are under growing pressure to deliver better value. This panel offers a concise, policy- and economics-focused overview of U.S. healthcare spending—past and present—exploring where the money goes, the trade-offs embedded in our system, and the deeper nuances behind the perception that we “spend more but get less.” The session concludes with a critical look at recent and proposed state and federal reforms aimed at curbing costs and improving efficiency and assesses whether these efforts are likely to meaningfully shift the trajectory of American healthcare.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Space Health Law Talk
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Morning Refreshments
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM 2025 State Healthcare Legislative Landscape
Following the completion of Texas's 89th Regular Legislative Session earlier this year, this session covers key legislative updates affecting the health care regulatory and legislative landscape in Texas. Join Micah Rodriguez, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations, with Harris Health, Eamon Reilly, Associate General Counsel of the Texas Medical Association and Janet Walker, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Community Health Plans for an insider's perspective on the forces shaping the Texas Capitol and beyond.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
AI-Enforcement-reimbursement-compliance
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM Networking Luncheon
Sponsored by our Diamond sponsor JTaylor
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM Healthcare Industry Civil Enforcement Update
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM Healthcare Industry Criminal Enforcement Update
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Afternoon Refreshments
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Privacy/Cyber Security - Lessons Learned
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM What Every Healthcare Lawyer Needs to Know About ERISA
This session is designed to provide healthcare attorneys with practical tools to recognize when an issue may fall under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). From direct-to-employer agreements to wellness plans, ERISA issues can be easy to overlook until it’s too late. Learn how to identify key ERISA triggers and avoid common pitfalls.
5:15 PM - 6:15 PM Networking Reception - Sponsored by Nichols Weitzner LLP
Join us for our Networking Reception graciously sponsored by our Platinum sponsor Nichols Weitzner LLP.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast
Sponsored by TBD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Cautionary Tales of Attorney Misconduct and Ethics Don'ts
A discussion of several (4-5) different case studies in matters related to health law where things went sideways for lawyers due to their misconduct, the consequences of that misconduct, ethical issues raised in each case study and a discussion of the specific disciplinary rules and ethics opinions implicated.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Price Transparency; Medicare site neutrality, private healthcare etc.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Hot Topics in Healthcare Immigration in 2025
Not surprisingly, the current administration’s impact on Healthcare Immigration has been significant. From Student Visa stamp revocation/cancelation issues to the new travel ban, healthcare organizations have been forced to modify and adopt their approach to recruiting foreign physicians (including J-1/ H-1B Medical Residents and Fellows), RNs and other professional health care workers. b/r The threat of ICE enforcement action across the country has incentivized healthcare employers to re-evaluate their policies and protocol for interactions with law enforcement due to Patient Privacy concerns and enforcement-related disruption of clinical services. Additionally, the removal of “safe haven” status for certain organizations including hospitals, is driving a renewed interest in Form I-9 audits and concern for Form I-9 compliance. b/r This session will provide updates and insights on healthcare-specific immigration topics based upon the real-world practice experiences of Michael Kim, employment-based immigration counsel with Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, PC (focused exclusively on health care immigration matters) and Frank Garcia, Associate Vice President & Senior Legal Officer of University of Texas Medical Branch
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Tuesday Morning Refreshments
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Section Business Meeting
10:30 AM - 11:15 PM Hot Topics for Healthcare Employers
During this session we will review key employment law developments from 2025 as well as trends we expect to see in 2026. Topics include: “Reverse Discrimination” under Title VII after Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Servs. Agency Activity under the current administration Trends in union activity and organization Pay transparency
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Addressing Texas’ Behavioral Health Needs – A Unique State/Local Partnership
The panel will discuss approaches to the state’s widespread challenges in meeting the behavioral health needs of its population, focusing on the development of Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center in Midland. Panelists will discuss determination of the region’s needs, building community awareness and support, securing State funding and the unique structure established to fund and operate the new facility. Panelists include the local hospital executive who led the development, the attorney who helped create the structure and the leader of the consulting team that assisted in crafting and supporting the vision from the very beginning.
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Navigating the Legal Landscape of Wellness-Based, Direct to Consumer, Internet-Enabled Healthcare Models
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM Abortion/Women’s Health legislative session update non-lawyer – HIPAA Reproductive health
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast
Sponsored by TBD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Cautionary Tales of Attorney Misconduct and Ethics Don'ts
A discussion of several (4-5) different case studies in matters related to health law where things went sideways for lawyers due to their misconduct, the consequences of that misconduct, ethical issues raised in each case study and a discussion of the specific disciplinary rules and ethics opinions implicated.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Price Transparency; Medicare site neutrality, private healthcare etc.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Hot Topics in Healthcare Immigration in 2025
Not surprisingly, the current administration’s impact on Healthcare Immigration has been significant. From Student Visa stamp revocation/cancelation issues to the new travel ban, healthcare organizations have been forced to modify and adopt their approach to recruiting foreign physicians (including J-1/ H-1B Medical Residents and Fellows), RNs and other professional health care workers. b/r The threat of ICE enforcement action across the country has incentivized healthcare employers to re-evaluate their policies and protocol for interactions with law enforcement due to Patient Privacy concerns and enforcement-related disruption of clinical services. Additionally, the removal of “safe haven” status for certain organizations including hospitals, is driving a renewed interest in Form I-9 audits and concern for Form I-9 compliance. b/r This session will provide updates and insights on healthcare-specific immigration topics based upon the real-world practice experiences of Michael Kim, employment-based immigration counsel with Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, PC (focused exclusively on health care immigration matters) and Frank Garcia, Associate Vice President & Senior Legal Officer of University of Texas Medical Branch
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Tuesday Morning Refreshments
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Section Business Meeting
10:30 AM - 11:15 PM Hot Topics for Healthcare Employers
During this session we will review key employment law developments from 2025 as well as trends we expect to see in 2026. Topics include: “Reverse Discrimination” under Title VII after Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Servs. Agency Activity under the current administration Trends in union activity and organization Pay transparency
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Addressing Texas’ Behavioral Health Needs – A Unique State/Local Partnership
The panel will discuss approaches to the state’s widespread challenges in meeting the behavioral health needs of its population, focusing on the development of Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center in Midland. Panelists will discuss determination of the region’s needs, building community awareness and support, securing State funding and the unique structure established to fund and operate the new facility. Panelists include the local hospital executive who led the development, the attorney who helped create the structure and the leader of the consulting team that assisted in crafting and supporting the vision from the very beginning.
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Navigating the Legal Landscape of Wellness-Based, Direct to Consumer, Internet-Enabled Healthcare Models
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM Abortion/Women’s Health legislative session update non-lawyer – HIPAA Reproductive health

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Breakfast
Sponsored by TBD
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Cautionary Tales of Attorney Misconduct and Ethics Don'ts
A discussion of several (4-5) different case studies in matters related to health law where things went sideways for lawyers due to their misconduct, the consequences of that misconduct, ethical issues raised in each case study and a discussion of the specific disciplinary rules and ethics opinions implicated.
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM Price Transparency; Medicare site neutrality, private healthcare etc.
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM Hot Topics in Healthcare Immigration in 2025
Not surprisingly, the current administration’s impact on Healthcare Immigration has been significant. From Student Visa stamp revocation/cancelation issues to the new travel ban, healthcare organizations have been forced to modify and adopt their approach to recruiting foreign physicians (including J-1/ H-1B Medical Residents and Fellows), RNs and other professional health care workers. b/r The threat of ICE enforcement action across the country has incentivized healthcare employers to re-evaluate their policies and protocol for interactions with law enforcement due to Patient Privacy concerns and enforcement-related disruption of clinical services. Additionally, the removal of “safe haven” status for certain organizations including hospitals, is driving a renewed interest in Form I-9 audits and concern for Form I-9 compliance. b/r This session will provide updates and insights on healthcare-specific immigration topics based upon the real-world practice experiences of Michael Kim, employment-based immigration counsel with Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, PC (focused exclusively on health care immigration matters) and Frank Garcia, Associate Vice President & Senior Legal Officer of University of Texas Medical Branch
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Tuesday Morning Refreshments
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Section Business Meeting
10:30 AM - 11:15 PM Hot Topics for Healthcare Employers
During this session we will review key employment law developments from 2025 as well as trends we expect to see in 2026. Topics include: “Reverse Discrimination” under Title VII after Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Servs. Agency Activity under the current administration Trends in union activity and organization Pay transparency
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM Addressing Texas’ Behavioral Health Needs – A Unique State/Local Partnership
The panel will discuss approaches to the state’s widespread challenges in meeting the behavioral health needs of its population, focusing on the development of Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center in Midland. Panelists will discuss determination of the region’s needs, building community awareness and support, securing State funding and the unique structure established to fund and operate the new facility. Panelists include the local hospital executive who led the development, the attorney who helped create the structure and the leader of the consulting team that assisted in crafting and supporting the vision from the very beginning.
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Navigating the Legal Landscape of Wellness-Based, Direct to Consumer, Internet-Enabled Healthcare Models
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM Abortion/Women’s Health legislative session update non-lawyer – HIPAA Reproductive health

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