The False Claims Act and Health Care Fraud: An Overview (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
July 10, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-602 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Kathleen S. Swendiman, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Federal False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. ¿¿ 3729-3733, provides for judicial imposition of civil
monetary penalties and treble damages for the knowing submission of false claims to the United
States Government. Originally enacted in 1843, the statute was amended in 1986 in several respects,
including increasing the penalty provisions, and making it easier for whistleblowers to file " qui
tam "
actions on behalf of the federal government. Use of the False Claims Act for fraudulent health care
claims has increased dramatically in the last few years. H.R. 3523 , and a companion bill,
S. 2007 , the Health Care Claims Guidance Act, would amend the False Claims Act to
set forth special rules to be applied in cases where an action is brought under the False Claims Act
based on claims submitted under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance program, and
CHAMPUS.
