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Proposed Community Revitalization Grants for Ohio Projects

Client Alert

Community Revitalization Credits May Be on the Horizon for Ohio Revitalization Projects

Ohio Senate Bill 344 is designed to offer non-refundable tax credits for individuals, corporations, or non-profits that are willing and able to invest in and build community projects in economically disadvantaged communities.  This Bill aims to incentivize the revitalization of Ohio’s communities while bolstering business in underdeveloped sectors.

Entities seeking a tax credit must apply to the director of development within specified timeframes of two review periods each fiscal year. The first begins on July 1 ending after September 13, and the second begins on January 1 and ends after March 31. If approved, the project must be completed within two years.

A project's credit allocation must be equal to or less than $5 million or 15-percent of estimated costs reported or 20-percent of costs, if the project is in an economically disadvantaged community. A credit allocation for each phase of a larger community revitalization project may be awarded a $5 million limitation applying to each phase of the project. The limit for credit allocations in a fiscal year cannot exceed $100 million, and no tax credit certificate will be issued for a project that is not completed within two years of the applicant being notified the project is eligible for tax credit.

If a certificate is issued to a pass-through entity for an investment by the entity, any taxpayer that is a direct or indirect investor in the pass-through may claim the taxpayer's proportionate or distributive share of the credit against the taxpayer's aggregate amount of tax levied. A person that is not a taxpayer cannot claim the credit, but if the person is the applicant to which the certificate is issued, the person may transfer the right to claim the credit.

A person that holds a tax credit certificate, on or before the last day of the person's taxable year or, if the person is not a taxpayer, on or before the last day of the calendar year in which the certificate is issued, may transfer the right to claim all or part of the credit to any other person. 

The Bill, sponsored by Ohio Senator Kirk Schuring, District 29, is currently in Senate Committee.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jason Butterworth at jabutterworth@bmdllc.com.


Recent HIPAA Breach Settlements - Lessons Learned

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the consequences for providers may include settlements of $30,000 to $240,000. OCR recently released two settlements for improper breaches of protected health information (PHI) that are good examples of the major monetary penalties that can result from common HIPAA mistakes.

Supreme Court Issues Major False Claims Act Decision

Telehealth Flexibility Updates: HIPAA, DEA, and CMS

The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) officially ended on May 11, 2023. But what does that mean for telehealth, a field that expanded exponentially during the PHE? Fortunately, many of the flexibilities will remain intact, at least temporarily. This client alert presents a brief overview of the timelines that providers need to follow, but for a more comprehensive review of telehealth flexibilities and when they will end

WEBINAR SERIES RECAP | Ending the Public Health Emergency + Post-Pandemic Check-Up

Some may take the position that the rest of the country already returned to a new “normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic.  But healthcare providers continue to implement COVID protocols and navigate the ever-changing healthcare regulations at both the federal and state levels.  It is important for healthcare providers to take time for a “Healthcare Check-Up” with the start of 2023 and the ending of the Public Health Emergency (“PHE”).

Sharp Rise in False Claims Act Cases - Navigating the FCA Waters

Recently, on April 18, 2023, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the FCA’s scienter, or mental state, requirement. To prove violation of the FCA, the statute requires that a defendant “knowingly” file false claims for payment. The term “knowingly” is defined within the statute to mean a person that acts with actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard. Circuit courts are split on how to interpret and apply the knowledge element of the FCA, and based on the Supreme Court’s decision, there will be a large impact on healthcare defendants and their businesses as well as anyone who contracts with, or receives money from, a federal program. A broader interpretation of the FCA would unnecessarily target and stifle healthcare, and other businesses, for simple errors in daily operations. This goes against the intended application of the FCA, which was to prevent fraudulent activity.