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Medicare worries intensify

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- HCA Inc., the biggest U.S. hospital chain and a major operator in Las Vegas, remains concerned about the possible legal costs it faces over alleged Medicare fraud, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

HCA asked a U.S. District Judge to delay depositions from its executives, signaling concern it may face higher costs, the WSJ said. The company said it asked to delay the depositions to discover if its executives may face charges, the WSJ said.

The Justice Department accused HCA of systematic fraud against government health-care programs in a case that surfaced in March 1997. The company has since paid about $800 million over the cases, the WSJ said.

Delaying the depositions suggests "all of a sudden they woke up that they've got a real problem," said James Moorman, president of Taxpayers Against Fraud, the WSJ reported.

HCA stock fell $2.80 to $40.62 this morning. In Las Vegas, the company owns Sunrise and MountainView hospitals.

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