WASHINGTON, May 1, 2012 — The passage of the Accountable Care Act, the new health care reform bill, raises questions in criminal justice law about its possible impact on health care fraud and abuse. Developments in this area will be a topic of discussion during the 22nd Annual CLE National Institute on Health Care Fraud hosted by the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, May 9 – 11, at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas.

Lawyers and government officials from around the nation will explore various aspects of health care related crime, such as traditional issues with Medicaid, pharmaceutical and medical device fraud and abuse, and anti-kickback developments.

U.S. Attorney Jerry E. Martin, for the Middle District of Tennessee, will serve as the morning keynote speaker at 8:15 on May 10. One of Martin’s primary issues as U.S. attorney is combating health care fraud. Since taking office in 2010, he has recovered nearly $105 million as a result of health care fraud settlements and judgments.

Vicki L. Robinson, senior advisor for health care reform in the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services, will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon at 12:45 p.m. on May 10. As chief of the Industry Guidance Branch, her duties include overseeing the review of business compliance with fraud and abuse laws, preparing advisory opinions, and providing guidance to industry and government stakeholders on anti-kickback statutes.

Program highlights include:

“The Foundations of Health Law” – Panelists will discuss recent health care reform measures, such as health care fraud enforcement, to provide a context to how health care fraud and abuse can arise. They will also examine key aspects of the health care regulatory system that subject providers to the most scrutiny.
May 9, 2 – 4 p.m.

“Government Enforcement Panel” – The basis and future for criminal and civil liability for health care fraud, and recent enforcement actions and initiatives will be the primary focus of this panel.
May 10, 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

“False Claims Act Developments” – Panelists will explore recent developments in the implementation of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 and amendments to the False Claims Act in 2010. They will also focus on related litigation and settlements of state and federal False Claims Act cases.
May 10, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

A complete agenda and updated list of speakers can be found online.

For media credentialing, please contact Rabiah Burks at Rabiah.Burks@Americanbar.org.  This event is free and open to members of the press.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world.  As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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