New ACO Rules Sent to OMB for Review – On June 26, 2014, a proposed Accountable Care Organization (ACO) rule that would make changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program in advance of the second round of ACO contracts arrived at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The proposed changes would apply to existing ACOs and approved ACO applicants starting January 1, 2016. The OMB posting is available here.

Supreme Court Grants Certiorari in FCA Wartime Statute of Limitations Case – On July 2, 2014, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in United States ex rel. Carter v. Halliburton, a False Claims Act case raising questions about tolling the statute of limitations in wartime. The Supreme Court will review the Fourth Circuit's ruling that the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act applies to whistleblower suits, even if unrelated to any war contract, and even when the government declines to intervene. The Fourth Circuit's ruling is available here.