"The View" co-host Sunny Hostin's husband, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Emmanuel "Manny" Hostin, is facing legal challenges. A sweeping federal RICO lawsuit filed in December in New York accuses Dr. Hostin and his practice, Hostin Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, of insurance fraud, among other allegations. The lawsuit, brought by American Transit Insurance Company, names over 180 defendants.

The suit centers around alleged "kickbacks" received for performing surgeries and fraudulent billing practices related to the insurance provider for companies like Uber and Lyft. The lawsuit specifically claims Dr. Hostin "knowingly provided fraudulent medical and other healthcare services including arthroscopic surgeries" and that the insurance company was billed "in exchange for kickbacks and/or other compensation disguised as dividends or other cash distributions."

American Transit Insurance Company's press release about the $450 million lawsuit explains that it targets alleged exploitation of New York's no-fault auto insurance laws. These laws mandate that insurers reimburse policyholders for necessary medical care up to specified limits, regardless of fault. The lawsuit alleges that this system incentivizes some providers to over-diagnose, over-treat, and over-bill.

The lawsuit also alleges that Dr. Hostin received an “investment” interest in the Empire State Ambulatory Surgery Center in exchange for patient referrals. Two of his patients, involved in low-impact collisions with minimal damage, allegedly received arthroscopic surgery despite seemingly minor injuries.

Dr. Hostin's attorney denies all allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as a baseless attack by a struggling insurance company meant to intimidate doctors. The attorney contends that the lawsuit's true purpose is to limit healthcare benefits and avoid fulfilling obligations to insureds. This legal battle unfolds as Sunny Hostin has recently spoken on "The View" about her husband's work and the challenges faced by doctors dealing with large health insurance corporations.

This situation adds a layer of complexity to Hostin’s recent on-air comments regarding her husband’s medical practice and his challenges in dealing with insurance companies. She previously stated that he sometimes performs surgeries for uninsured patients and subsequently has to sue insurance companies for payment.