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...

Read MoreRead More

Coppersmith Brockelman Expands Interoperability Dispute Practice Amid Growing Data-Sharing Complexity

Coppersmith Brockelman has scaled its interoperability litigation capabilities in response to rising demand for data-sharing guidance in an increasingly regulated environment. This expansion strengthens the firm’s ability to guide clients through a wider range of interoperability challenges where regulatory obligations around data access, APIs, and system design intersect with commercial contracts and competitive conflicts. The enhanced practice merges regulatory depth with litigation strength to provide a full range of counsel, from early dispute strategy to formal proceedings when necessary. Partner Mel Soliz leads the effort, bringing deep experience with federal and state information blocking and interoperability mandates, HIN/HIE frameworks, and health IT infrastructure. She works alongside partner Gabriel Aragon, whose practice focuses on high-stakes commercial litigation, and partner Andrew Fox, who brings valuable experience in unfair...

Read MoreRead More

Mel Soliz Earns 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award & Highlights Key Patient Privacy Issues at National Panel

Partner Mel Soliz was recently honored as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year at the Sequoia Project annual meeting, recognizing her exceptional contributions of time and expertise. Mel also joined a national panel to expand upon her efforts and impact on patient privacy and consent. The panel, comprised of Mel and four other health information experts, explored strategies to better align the benefits of health data exchange with a critical need to protect patient privacy. Their discussion addressed the growing tension between the rising value of health data and evolving privacy expectations while emphasizing solutions that align both priorities. 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...

Read MoreRead More

Mel Soliz Explains Impact of CARES Act Final Rule Changes at National Health Care Meeting

At the eHealth Exchange Annual Meeting, Partner Mel Soliz discussed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) modified regulations for substance use disorder (SUD) patient records (see 42 CFR Part 2 or Part 2) and their impact of health information exchange. These changes aim to better align the Part 2 regulations with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), with the compliance deadline set for February 16, 2026. eHealth Exchange, the nation’s oldest and largest health care information network, supports data exchange for more than 250 million patients and facilitates around 21 billion transactions annually. Recognized for its governance, transparency, and commitment to privacy, the organization is a leader in advancing interoperability. A nationally recognized attorney in health data privacy and interoperability, Mel works...

Read MoreRead More

Mel Soliz Shares Insights on Evolving Interoperability Regulations at National Health Conference

At the Civitas Networks for Health Annual Conference, Partner Mel Soliz explored recent updates to the interoperability landscape and how they impact health information networks and exchanges (HIN/HIEs). 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. She is the President of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys and is regularly lauded by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, BTI Client...

Read MoreRead More
Headshot of Mel Soliz

Partner Mel Soliz Discusses Innovation in Health Equity and Barriers to its Growth at HIMSS’ Interoperability and HIE Forum

Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. In her presentation to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Interoperability and Health Information Exchange Forum, Mel Soliz—Partner and leader of the firm’s interoperability practice—explained how health data interoperability and state and federal interoperability initiatives will advance health equity. Mel regularly speaks in local and national forums on interoperability and health equity. She is the President of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys and is recognized by Best Lawyers© and Southwest Super Lawyers: Rising Stars© for her work in health law....

Read MoreRead More