{"argument_date":"2016-04-19T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2016-04-19T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argued the statute requires explicit false statements. It cited the unchanged language from 1863.","The government argued a claim is fraudulent if it omits a known material breach. It cited the duty to disclose violations.","Justice Breyer questioned if common law contract principles apply to this statutory interpretation.","Justice Kagan posed a hypothetical involving an explicit contract term requiring doctor care."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 42-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 42-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 50-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 50-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 48-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 53, lines 48-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 24-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 24-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 5-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 26-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 48-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 20-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-36"}]}],"caption":"Universal Health Services, Inc. v. United States","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.199673Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:22.217141Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether a claim is fraudulent if it omits a known violation of a material payment condition.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2016-04-19T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/15-7.html","primary_docket":"15-7","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T19:57:49.589611Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the scope of the False Claims Act. It asks if a claim is false when it fails to disclose a known breach of a material contract term."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 19, 2016."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 5-7"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the lower court finding overturned. It argues the statute requires an explicit false statement.","The government wants the lower court finding upheld. It argues a claim is fraudulent if it omits a known material breach."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues the statute targets explicit false statements. It contends common law contract principles do not apply here.","The government argues a claim is false if it omits a known violation. It contends this omission renders the claim fraudulent."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Breyer asked if an implicit assumption of doctor-provided services could be a material breach.","Justice Kagan asked if an explicit term requiring doctor care changes the analysis of a false claim."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 42-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 42-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 50-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 50-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 48-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 53, lines 48-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 24-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 24-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 5-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 26-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 48-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 20-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-36"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary between a valid claim and a fraudulent one. It determines when silence about a breach constitutes fraud. The outcome shapes how companies report compliance to the government. It affects the financial liability of businesses in federal contracts."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 42-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 42-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 32-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 32-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 50-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 50-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 36-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 48-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 53, lines 48-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 24-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 24-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 40-42","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 54, lines 40-42"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-7","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 56, lines 5-7"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 18-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 18-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 26-44","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 26-44"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-6","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 48-6"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 6-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 6-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 12-16","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 12-16"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 20-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 20-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 50-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 50-36"}]}],"slug":"2015-15-7-universal-health-services-inc-v-united-states","term":"2015","title":"Does a false certification of compliance make a claim fraudulent?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 14-26","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 22, lines 14-26"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-30","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 22-30"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 35, lines 34-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 35, lines 34-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 52, lines 46-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/15-7_6537.pdf","page_label":"file page 52, lines 46-46"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}