9 Whistle-Blower Cases Filed Against HMA Transferred to D.C.

Nine qui tam False Claims Act suits accusing Naples, Fla.-based Health Management Associates and several of its subsidiaries of paying illegal kickbacks to physicians and encouraging medically unnecessary tests have been transferred to a Washington, D.C., federal court, according to the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

Despite the U.S. government's request the panel consolidate the suits in Florida, the JPML found transferring the cases to a D.C. federal court would be the most convenient option for all parties involved.

In support of its decision to transfer all of the cases to D.C., the panel noted counsel for both the government and the HMA defendants are located in D.C. The panel also noted HMA's attorneys had said numerous potentially discoverable documents were located at their offices in D.C. 

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