Webcast: The False Claims Act – 2021 Update for Health Care Providers

October 26, 2021

Fourth of Four Industry-Specific Programs

The False Claims Act (FCA) is one of the most powerful tools in the government’s arsenal to combat fraud, waste, and abuse involving government funds.  After several years of statements and guidance indicating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) might alter its approach to FCA enforcement, the Biden Administration appears to be taking a different, more aggressive approach.  Meanwhile, newly filed FCA cases remain at historical peak levels, and the government has recovered nearly $3 billion or more annually under the FCA for a decade.  The government also continues to pursue new, large spending projects in COVID-related stimulus and infrastructure—which may bring yet more vigorous efforts by DOJ to pursue fraud, waste, and abuse in government spending.  As much as ever, any company that receives government funds—especially in the health care sector—needs to understand how the government and private whistleblowers alike are wielding the FCA, and how they can defend themselves.

Please join us to discuss developments in the FCA, including:

  • The latest trends in FCA enforcement actions and associated litigation affecting health care providers;
  • Updates on the Biden Administration’s approach to FCA enforcement, including developments impacting DOJ’s use of its statutory dismissal authority;
  • New proposed amendments to the FCA introduced by Senator Grassley; and
  • The latest trends in FCA jurisprudence, including developments in particular FCA legal theories affecting your industry and the continued evolution of how lower courts are interpreting the Supreme Court’s Escobar decision.

View Slides (PDF)



PANELISTS:

Jonathan M. Phillips is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office where he co-chair of the False Claims Act/Qui Tam Defense practice. Mr. Phillips focuses on compliance, enforcement, and litigation in the health care and government contracting fields, as well as other white collar enforcement matters and related litigation. A former Trial Attorney in DOJ’s Civil Fraud section, he has particular experience representing clients in enforcement actions by the DOJ, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Defense brought under the False Claims Act and related statutes.

Robert Hur is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office where he is co-chair of the Crisis Management group. A seasoned trial lawyer and advocate, he brings decades of experience in government and in private practice, including service in senior leadership positions with the U.S. Department of Justice, to guide companies and individuals facing white-collar criminal matters, regulatory proceedings and enforcement actions, internal investigations, and related civil litigation.

Brendan Stewart is of counsel in the New York office and a former federal prosecutor. He previously served as an Assistant Chief in the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division where he oversaw a unit of health care fraud prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York from 2017 to 2021. As a prosecutor since 2012, he has led numerous complex investigations—in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, State Attorneys General —focusing on potential violations of federal statutes barring health care fraud and false medical statements and other crimes.


MCLE CREDIT INFORMATION:

This program has been approved for credit in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 1.5 credit hours, of which 1.5 credit hours may be applied toward the areas of professional practice requirement.

This course is approved for transitional/non-transitional credit. Attorneys seeking New York credit must obtain an Affirmation Form prior to watching the archived version of this webcast. Please contact [email protected] to request the MCLE form.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.5 hours.

California attorneys may claim “self-study” credit for viewing the archived version of this webcast. No certificate of attendance is required for California “self-study” credit.


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