| Fischer v. United States | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Argued February 22, 2000 Decided April 17, 2000 | |
| Full case name | Jeffrey Fischer v. United States of America |
| Citations | 529 U.S. 667 (more) 168 F.3d. L. Ed. 2d 1273 |
| Argument | Oral argument |
| Holding | |
| Medicare funds received by health care providers constitute "benefits" within the meaning of the federal bribery statute prohibiting fraud and other offenses against organizations receiving federal benefits | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Rehnquist, joined by Stevens, O'Connor, Kennedy, Souter, Breyer, Ginsburg |
| Dissent | Scalia, joined by Thomas |
Fischer v United States, 529 U.S. 667 (2000), was a United States Supreme Court case that ruled that the scope of the federal bribery statute 18 U.S.C. § 666(b), which applied to organizations that received "benefits in excess of $10,000 under a Federal program", included funds received through Medicare.[1]
Background
[edit]Opinion of the Court
[edit]In a 7-2 opinion written by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the Court held that, "The government has a legitimate and significant interest in prohibiting financial fraud or acts of bribery being perpetrated upon Medicare providers.... Fraudulent acts threaten the program's integrity...."[1]
Thomas' dissent
[edit]Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Antonin Scalia, argued that Medicare funds did not constitute bribery as the only people who ultimately received the benefits were patients.[1]
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Text of 'Fischer v United States, 529 U.S. 667 (2000) is available from: Justia Oyez (oral argument audio)