Becerra Brings Tougher Scrutiny on Health Fraud, Hospital Deals

Attorneys are bracing for more enforcement actions in the health-care space under the Biden administration with an aggressive litigator nominated to lead the Health and Human Services Department.

Xavier Becerra, California’s attorney general, is expected to push the HHS to work more closely with the Justice Department to boost health fraud enforcement efforts. Defense attorneys also anticipate more collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission to scrutinize hospital mergers and acquisitions that threaten to limit competition and drive-up health-care costs.

“Having someone in charge of HHS that was formerly an AG and enforcement person, I think we’re likely to see an ...