Karl Bayer's Disputing Blog

2009 Developments in Mediation: Foreclosure Mediation Programs

By Victoria VanBuren - December 18, 2009

by Holly Hayes In light of the subprime mortgage crisis, several states have adopted mediation programs to assist homeowners and lenders reach a solution to a mortgage foreclosure action. Keith Seat, at Mediate.com posted recently an update on foreclosure mediation across the United States. Highlights include the introduction of federal legislation that would encourage state and local governments to create strong foreclosure mediation programs. T

2009 Developments in Mediation: Mediation Option for ‘Balance Billing’ in Health Care

By Victoria VanBuren - December 11, 2009

by Holly Hayes In June, we discussed the passage of Texas House Bill 2256, which provides a procedure for mediation of out-of-network health benefit claim disputes. Patients in Texas now have the option to mediate when they are ‘balance-billed’ by their insurance company for services provided by out-of-network facility-based physicians like radiologists, pathologists, neonatologists, and emergency room physicians. (post available here

H.R. 3962: U.S. House Health Care Bill Addresses ‘Balance Billing’

By Victoria VanBuren - November 20, 2009

By Holly Hayes As noted in a previous post (available here) Texas House Bill 2256, signed into law on June 19, 2009, provides a procedure for mediation of out-of-network health benefit claim disputes. The law gives patients the option to mediate when they are ‘balance-billed’ by their insurance company for services provided by out-of-network facility-based physicians like radiologists, pathologists, and neonatologists. ‘Balance

ABA Section of Dispute Resolution: Mediation Video Contest on YouTube

By Victoria VanBuren - November 17, 2009

The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution is seeking three-minute original videos on the topic of mediation. The contest is open to everyone. Videos may be submitted between November 12, 2009 and January 15, 2010. Incomplete submissions will be disqualified. To be considered a complete submission the Contest Entry Form and an ABA Release Form for each person in the video must be received by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution by midnight January 15

State Bar of Texas Advanced Mediation Workshop

By Victoria VanBuren - November 13, 2009

Earlier this year, the ADR section of the State Bar of Texas organized a mediation workshop in Houston, Texas. The participants discussed the following questions: What does the Mediation Table look like in 2009 compared to 1989? How Do Experienced Mediators Facilitate Distributive Bargaining? How Do Experienced Mediators Facilitate Integrative Bargaining? How Do Experienced Mediators Facilitate the Closing of Mediation? What are Intuitive and Cou

Deadline Set for Application for Medical Liability Reform Grants

By Victoria VanBuren - November 12, 2009

by Holly Hayes In September, President Obama authorized the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to allocate $25 million for medical liability reform pilot projects. Grant proposals may be submitted beginning December 20 and are due by January 20, 2010. Additional details on the grant application process are available at American Medical News. The purpose of these grants is as follows: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits

Texas County Establishes Voluntary Mediation Program

By Victoria VanBuren - November 6, 2009

Hays County, Texas just launched a voluntary mediation program for family and civil disputes. The Hays County commissioners signed a contract with the Central Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution (CTADR), a local ADR firm that will provide the mediation services. The mediation program is effective from October 1, 2009 until September 30, 2010 and applies to disputes between neighbors, employers and employees, consumers and merchants, landlords an

Medical Liability Reform Debate

By Victoria VanBuren - November 3, 2009

by Holly Hayes Medical liability reform has not been an area of focus in the health reform debate since September when President Obama directed the Department of Health and Human Services to provide $25 million for medical liability reform and patient safety planning grants. A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report, also mentioned on Disputing (post available here) may reinvigorate the medical liability reform debate. Details on this debate and

Disputing Mediation Post Quoted by the Dallas Morning News

By Victoria VanBuren - November 2, 2009

We just found out that our Disputing post

GUEST-POST | Mediating eDiscovery Disputes – Allison Skinner’s Brilliant Idea

By Victoria VanBuren - October 29, 2009

By Peter S. Vogel Allison O. Skinner is an attorney and full-time mediator at Sirote & Permutt and has written two outstanding articles about resolving eDiscovery disputes as a Mediator to develop a “Mediated Discovery Plan.” What a great way to help parties take advantage of the mediation process to reduce the out of control costs of eDiscovery and at the same time reach an amicable plan to deal with eDiscovery. Allison has setup a great mod