NO MASK, NO SERVICE
Governor orders crackdown on regulations as coronavirus cases spike in Hampton Roads
RICHMOND — With coronavirus cases in Hampton Roads increasing at concerning rates, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday the state will step up enforcement of mask and social distancing rules.
Health and liquor inspectors and other officials will conduct unannounced visits to establishments “as needed” to ensure that businesses are adhering to facecovering and physical distancing rules, Northam said.
“If you own a restaurant or business and you’re not following the regulations, your license will be on the line, and we will not hesitate to take action if needed,” the governor said at a press conference in Richmond.
Top Senate Republicans issued a statement criticizing the governor for “threatening” businesses in the midst of a recession and requiring businesses to confront noncomplying customers.
When the mask ordinance first went into effect in May, Northam’s chief of staff, Clark
and federal employees’ plans that were made at dozens of facilities across the nation, including its three in Hampton Roads, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings show. One of its facilities in Georgia is paying another $5 million to settle charges filed in that state.
In addition, the charges accused UHS facilities of failing to discharge patients when they should have, of failing to have enough staff or to properly train and supervise them, and of improperly restraining patients.
The settlement includes $6.2 million to be repaid to Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services to reimburse state Medicaid funds spent with the UHS facilities. The federal payers will be repaid $2.6 million to reimburse them for sums spent with UHS’s Virginia facilities.
“For over a decade UHS defrauded the Medicaid system and put profits and lining their own pockets over the well being and care of their patients,” said Attorney General Mark Herring. “Health care fraud on a massive scale like this is utterly egregious not only because it wastes millions of taxpayer dollars, but it undermines a crucial system that provides millions of Virginians with important health care services.”
As part of the settlement, UHS signed a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General.
It requires the company retain an independent monitor to assess its patient care protections. In addition, an independent review organization will perform annual reviews of UHS’s inpatient behavioral health claims to federal health care programs, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
“The ultimate goal of quality treatment and fair billing is important for all patients and this settlement assures that future conduct of UHS at the Virginia facilities and other facilities will be appropriate,” said Jeffrey Breit, a Virginia Beach lawyer who handled one of the Virginia cases.
UHS said it denies the allegations, and in a statement said the settlement does not admit to any wrongdoing.
“UHS is pleased to have resolved this matter to avoid future distractions and the high costs of litigation, while ensuring that our focus remains steadfast on providing excellent care to our patients and their families,” the statement said.
The settlement resolves 19 separate federal lawsuits filed in a dozen states.