DOJ indicts 32 for alleged Medicare fraud News
DOJ indicts 32 for alleged Medicare fraud

[JURIST] The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services [official websites] on Wednesday announced the indictment [case summaries, PDF; press release] of 32 for allegedly filing $16 million dollars in fraudulent Medicare [official website] claims. According to the indictment, those involved in the scheme submitted claims for arthritis devices and nutrition packages that we either medically unnecessary or were never delivered to patients. The investigation that led to the indictments was conducted by the multi-agency Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) [official website] that was announced [press release] in May. Officials say that reducing Medicare fraud is necessary to the financial health of the program.

Last month, the DOJ announced the indictment [press release; JURIST report] of 53 health care providers and beneficiaries accused of submitting $50 million in fraudulent claims. In October, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) [official website] implemented regulations [text] denying hospitals payment for treating conditions caused by some common medical errors [HHS backgrounder]. The new regulations were authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 [text], which directed the HHS to identify reasonably preventable conditions that result in high-cost or high-volume treatment and additional government payments.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.