Department of Justice Seal


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CIV

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1998 (202) 616-2765

TDD (202) 514-1888

DOJ to Hold Briefing on the Use of False Claims Act in Health Care Fraud Cases


WASHINGTON, DC--The Department of Justice will hold a media briefing Friday, April 24, on its use of the False Claims Act to pursue health care fraud, and the negative effects that proposed changes to the law would create.

The False Claims Act is the government's primary tool to recover funds lost to the Treasury and to the Medicare Trust Fund due to health care fraud. In the last ten years the government has used the False Claims Act to recover more than $1.8 billion in cases involving fraud on the Department of Health & Human Services.

The health care industry is now lobbying Congress to amend the False Claims Act in ways that would undermine the government's ability to recover money lost through fraud and other instances of false billing for health care.

WHAT: Briefing on Use of False Claims Act in Health Care Fraud Cases

WHO: Iden Grant Martyn, Principal Deputy Director, Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys

Joyce Branda, Deputy Director, Commercial Litigation Branch, DOJ Civil Division

WHEN: Friday, April 24, 1998

2:00 PM

WHERE: Room 2264 Main Justice Building (AGAC Conference Room)

10th and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW

The briefing is open to all federally credentialed reporters -- no cameras.

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98-194