Mel Soliz Co-Presents AHLA Webinar on Evolving Interoperability Litigation

Joining a recent webinar hosted by the American Health Law Association, Partner Mel Soliz examined how interoperability disputes in health care are increasingly spilling into litigation. In the presentation, “When Interoperability Becomes a Lawsuit: National Networks, Information Blocking, and State Claims,” she explored the legal frameworks actively shaping data exchange, along with the growing tension among access, competition, privacy, and enforcement. Mel offered a practical primer on key interoperability laws and frameworks, including the Information Blocking Rule, ONC Health IT Certification Program, TEFCA, Carequality, and emerging state-level laws. The session also examined how interoperability uncertainties are fueling disputes, resulting in high stakes complex commercial litigation. Mel’s practice focuses on compliance with data privacy and interoperability laws, health tech contracting, complex data sharing platform design, and interoperability disputes. She...

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Mel Soliz Led Panel on the Future of Computable Consent at Sequioa Project’s Annual Meeting

Partner Mel Soliz recently moderated a panel at the Sequoia Project’s Annual Meeting to share insights on the evolving challenges of privacy and consent within health information exchange networks and trust frameworks. The panel session, “Moving Toward Computable Consent: The Future of Privacy in Health Information Exchange,” examined the need for collaborative approaches to implement granular consent while leveraging new technologies to not only strengthen trust, but also empower individuals with greater control over their health data. Mel, along with two other leaders in health information policy and technology, framed the discussion with an overview of the legal landscapes, operational realities, and technical gaps that continue to impact an organization’s ability to honor patient privacy preferences in a consistent, scalable way. The Sequoia Project serves as an advocate for...

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Mel Soliz & Amita Sanghvi Guide Local Attorneys Through the Complexities of Health Information Laws in State Bar of Arizona Presentation

The State Bar of Arizona recently invited Mel Soliz and Amita Sanghvi to provide fellow lawyers with a clear breakdown of today’s health information law landscape. Their session offered a strong foundational overview of key regulations and how they are enforced, leaving attorneys with actionable strategies to incorporate into their practice. Their presentation, entitled “Demystifying Health Information Laws for Attorneys,” focused on the unique legal landscape surrounding using and disclosing health information — exploring HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, Information Blocking, and relevant state laws, with an emphasis on spotting compliance issues and understanding the rules for using, sharing, and protecting patient health information. Mel and Amita closed the session with interactive scenarios, allowing attorneys to apply their new knowledge in real time. Mel’s regulatory practice focuses...

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Malvika Sinha Instructs State Bar of Arizona CLE Course on the Practical Implications of Punitive Damages

Despite recent defense-friendly cases, Arizona juries have still shown that they are more than willing to award punitive damages in high profile litigation, making it critically important for attorneys to fully understand the contours of state and federal punitive damages law.  To help attorneys keep pace with these developments, the State Bar of Arizona tapped Partner Malvika Sinha to co-lead a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course with fellow litigators Rob Carey of Hagens Berman and Bennett Cooper of Dickinson Wright. The course, entitled “Punitive Damages AZ ’25: How? How Bad? How Much?” outlined the nature and ramifications of due process and common law limitations on punitive damages, as well as real-world implications to consider at the pre-trial and trial stages. Malvika educated attorneys on timely issues surrounding...

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Mel Soliz Joins Zen Healthcare IT to Discuss Best Practices for IAS Implementation Under TEFCA

In a collaborative session hosted by Zen Healthcare IT, Partner Mel Soliz outlined essential best practices for implementing Individual Access Services (IAS) within the parameters of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). In the presentation, “IAS Under TEFCA: What Vendors, Providers and HIEs Need to Know,” Mel unpacked the real-world implications behind TEFCA policy. Mel highlighted common pitfalls that could derail TEFCA implementation while offering guidance on navigating emerging requirements related to consent, data segmentation, and sustainability. Mel also shared often-overlooked compliance implications. Mel’s regulatory practice focuses on compliance with data privacy, access, and interoperability laws, health IT/technology service contracting, and HIN/HIEs. She regularly speaks in local and national forums on these topics and has been active in state and federal policymaking on data privacy...

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Mel Soliz & Amita Sanghvi Train Local Behavioral Health Advocates in Navigating Patient Confidentiality

During the Eric Gilberston Advocacy Institute for Behavioral Health’s annual training program, Mel Soliz and Amita Sanghvi guided case managers and other community members interested in mental health advocacy through the nuances of sharing health information with loved ones involved in patient care. Mel’s regulatory practice focuses on compliance with data privacy, access, and interoperability laws (such as the Information Blocking Rule and CMS interoperability mandates as well as state mini-interoperability laws), health IT/technology service contracting, and HIN/HIEs (including national and state interoperability frameworks such as TEFCA, Carequality, CommonWell, DURSA, DxF, and SCPA). She regularly speaks in local and national forums on these topics and has been active in state and federal policymaking on data privacy and HIE issues. Amita advises on HIPAA compliance, privacy, cybersecurity, and...

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