Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 744

529US3

Unit: $U55

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Cite as: 529 U. S. 667 (2000)

669

Opinion of the Court

own operations are one of the reasons for maintaining the program.
The Government has a legitimate and signiﬁcant interest in prohibiting
ﬁnancial fraud or bribery being perpetrated upon Medicare providers:
Such acts threaten the program’s integrity and raise the risk participat-
ing organizations will lack the resources needed to provide the requisite
level and quality of care. Pp. 681–682.

168 F. 3d 1273, afﬁrmed.

Kennedy, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Rehnquist,
C. J., and Stevens, O’Connor, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer, JJ.,
joined. Thomas, J., ﬁled a dissenting opinion, in which Scalia, J., joined,
post, p. 682.

Mark L. Horwitz argued the cause for petitioner. With
him on the briefs were Glen J. Ioffredo, Jeffrey T. Green, and
Kristin G. Koehler.

Lisa Schiavo Blatt argued the cause for the United States.
With her on the brief were Solicitor General Waxman, As-
sistant Attorney General Robinson, and Deputy Solicitor
General Dreeben.*

Justice Kennedy delivered the opinion of the Court.
The federal bribery statute prohibits defrauding organiza-
tions which “receiv[e], in any one year period, beneﬁts in
excess of $10,000 under a Federal program.” 18 U. S. C.
§ 666(b). We granted certiorari to determine whether the
statute covers fraud perpetrated on organizations participat-
ing in the Medicare program. Upon consideration of the
role and regulated status of hospitals as health care provid-
ers under the Medicare program, we hold they receive “bene-
ﬁts” within the meaning of the statute. We afﬁrm petition-
er’s convictions.

I

Petitioner Jeffrey Allan Fischer was president and partial
owner of Quality Medical Consultants, Inc. (QMC), a corpora-

*Lisa Kemler ﬁled a brief for the National Association of Criminal

Defense Lawyers as amicus curiae urging reversal.