Supreme Court to Hear Case on Medicare and Medicaid Overbilling

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case that could weaken the government's ability to fight fraud in government contracts and programs. The case concerns whether major retail pharmacies knowingly overcharged Medicaid and Medicare by overstating what their usual and customary prices were. The False Claims Act, which was enacted to combat rampant fraud by private contractors, could be undermined if the court rules in favor of the pharmacies. A decision is expected by summer.