Health Law Section

Karen Gallinari

Karen Gallinari of Yonkers is the new chair of the Health Law Section.

Gallinari is an adjunct professor at Pace University’s Elizabeth Haub’s School of Law. She has over 20 years’ experience in healthcare law, risk management, compliance, litigation, medical research and bioethics.

A 24-year member of the State Bar, Gallinari most recently served as chair-elect of the Health Law Section. She previously chaired the section’s Membership Committee. She was a member of the section’s Biotechnology/Medical Research; In-House Counsel; and Public Health Committees.

Gallinari graduated from New York University and earned her law degree from New York Law School.

Message from the Chair (Updated August 26, 2020)

Dear Health Law Section Members,

I hope this update finds you and all yours well.

Despite the continued challenges we all face during these extraordinary times, last week brought cause for celebration.  The 100^th Anniversary of women’s right to vote is a nice backdrop to our continued progress on gender equality, women’s and elders’ health issues.

Health Law Section COVID Task Force Update

We have also been working with colleagues from other Sections on the Recommendations presented in the Report prepared by our COVID Task Force. Our Task Force’s Report, Recommendations and four related Resolutions were presented to the NYSBA’s House of Delegates (“HOD”) in June. The House decided to postpone a vote on the Resolutions until its November meeting, to permit Section Delegates more time to review the proposals.  Since that time, our Task Force Chair, Mary Beth Morrissey and other Task Force members, have been addressing questions from Section leaders and preparing an update to provide clarification.

In addition, legislation has passed narrowing provider immunities.   As a result, the Resolution addressing the immunities issues is being eliminated.  Please note that the Task Force’s original Recommendations regarding the importance of adequate provider immunities for actions necessitated by the State of Emergency, remains in the Task Force Report.   Additional edits to our Resolutions are anticipated, given legislation which improved protections against price gouging, which has also passed.

Links to the Task Force Report, Recommendation and Original Resolutions, as well as links to the provider immunity and price gouging legislation are below.

October Fall Meeting

Please plan to join us for our Fall Meeting on October 23 & 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for expert-led discussions on Ethical Issues and Legal Reform in the New COVID-19 Healthcare Environment. We will be covering topics of human rights, public health, healthcare providers’ dilemmas, disparities in the current state of healthcare, and much more. For more information and to register, visit the Section page.

Register Here for Day 1

Register Here for Day 2

Section Committees

In the meantime, if you are not already a member of any of our Section Committees, please review the available Committees at the link below and select at least one which interests you. You can join the Committee you chose by logging into your NYSBA account or by contacting our Section Liaison, Catherine Carl at [email protected]

Click here for more information

We have excellent Committee Chairs who are planning vibrant opportunities for networking, education and advocacy in the areas they lead.

For example, our Young Lawyers Committee is hosting a Meet and Sip Virtual Social on September 10^th.

Register for Young Lawyers Committee Social

Our other Committee Chairs will be reaching out to Committee members in the Fall, to engage you in their initiatives and invite your input.

I also invite your input on any topics or initiatives you would like to see our Section address this coming term.

Finally, I wish you and yours some summer fun during these last weeks of the season.

Sincerely,

Karen

Karen L. Illuzzi Gallinari, Esq.
Health Law Section Chair
Adjunct Professor, Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law
Director of Risk and Compliance, St. John’s Riverside Healthcare System, Yonkers, NY

COVID Task Force Report and Recommendations: (Click here to read the report)

Resolutions Presented by Task Force in June, EDITS in progress:

Please NOTE that Resolution 4, included at the following link, will be eliminated, along with other edits warranted by legislation enacted since the Task Force’s Report was presented to the HOD in June.  Final Resolutions and clarifications will be provided before the HOD November meeting, once they are completed.

Click here to read the current Resolutions

Provider Immunity:

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/S8835

Price Gouging:

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2020/attorney-general-james-price-gouging-authority-strengthened-after-governor-cuomo#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThis%20legislation%20strengthens%20and%20expands,paying%20excessive%20and%20unreasonable%20prices.