Who has the authority to bring civil action under the False Claims Act?

The False Claims Act allows civilians, known as relators, to bring civil actions on behalf of the government against individuals or entities that are alleged to have knowingly submitted false claims for payment to federal programs. This legal provision enables whistleblowers to report fraud without facing personal risk of retaliation, as they can act as representatives for the government in these lawsuits.

Relators stand to gain from these actions; if the suit is successful, they may receive a percentage of the recovered funds as a reward. This incentivizes individuals who have inside knowledge of fraudulent activities to come forward, which strengthens enforcement against fraud in government programs.

Government agencies do indeed have the authority to pursue claims on their own, but the unique role of relators is vital for uncovering misconduct that might otherwise go unreported. This mechanism bolsters government enforcement by leveraging private citizens' capabilities and knowledge. As a result, the inclusion of civilians in such legal actions is a crucial element for combating fraud in healthcare and other sectors dependent on government funding.