Opinion ID: 2982058
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Violation of Michigan Public Policy

Text: Michigan courts recognize that while employment contracts may be terminated at any time for any, or no, reason, certain grounds for discharge are so contrary to public policy as to be actionable. Suchodolski v. Michigan Consol. Gas Co., 412 Mich. 692, 694–95 (1982). To state a claim that Brown was discharged in violation of Michigan “public policy,” Brown must show that her discharge was prohibited in “explicit legislative statements prohibiting the discharge, discipline, or other adverse treatment.” Id. at 695. Some Michigan courts have also found 12 No. 13-1054 Brown v. VHS of Michigan, Inc. sufficient “legislative expression of policy to imply a cause of action for wrongful termination” where the alleged reason for the discharge of the employee was the failure or refusal to violate a law in the course of employment. Id. Brown does not specify the violation of public policy on which she relies. Instead, she cites 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b(a) and 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7a(a). Pet. Br. at 27-28. These provisions address the criminal and civil penalties for an individual who is aware of fraud in a federal healthcare program and who assists in concealing such fraud. Brown relies on the fact that she informed senior management of the erroneous billing practices, and her subsequent discharge, as proof that she was discharged in violation of public policy. Pet. Br. at 28. The undisputed material facts, however, do not support Brown’s claim. Brown argues that she intended to report alleged Medicare fraud to Vanguard at a meeting of managers, which was scheduled to take place after her termination. Pet. Br. at 28. However, there is not a scintilla of evidence that Brown ever told Uddyback, or anyone else, that she intended to do so—or, that Dr. Uddyback, or anyone else, was hostile or retaliatory towards Brown because of her unstated intention. Furthermore, while Brown testified that she informed senior management about certain billing errors, she has presented no evidence that she was fired in retaliation for reporting these concerns. Accordingly, Brown’s claim that she was discharged in violation of public policy is without merit. 13 No. 13-1054 Brown v. VHS of Michigan, Inc.