Daily Briefs

36th District Court: No residential evictions to proceed for nonpayment


The 36th District Court was informed Wednesday that the CDC has re-classified Wayne County as an area under threat of “substantial” community transmission of COVID-19. As a result, both Wayne County and the City of Detroit now fall under the umbrella of the CDC’s eviction moratorium. Effective immediately, no residential evictions will proceed for nonpayment of rent in the City of Detroit.

While the CDC order references the COVID-19 infection rates of counties, the City of Detroit is the largest city in Wayne County and the State of Michigan. While there has been some confusion regarding transmission levels and whether the eviction moratorium applied to Wayne County, it is clear that the new eviction moratorium was intended to protect the citizens of Detroit and Wayne County.

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for her leadership on this issue,” said Chief Justice William C. McConico. “Conflicting guidance created much confusion throughout the day as to whether the City of Detroit qualified for inclusion in the CDC’s moratorium. Absent her efforts, it is unclear how many Detroit families would be facing imminent eviction from their homes at this moment.”

The data provided in the CDC’s Order shows a strong correlation between high eviction rates in “socially vulnerable” areas and elevated community transmission of COVID-19, according to McConico. This current eviction moratorium is forecasted to save an untold number of lives by ensuring that residents can remain in their homes as the delta variant continues to rapidly spread throughout the nation, said McConico in a press release.

Despite the new eviction moratorium, landlords and tenantwww.DetroitEvictionHelp.coms should still continue to seek financial assistance from the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. Tenants facing possible eviction should contact the Detroit Eviction Helpline at 866-313-2520 or www.DetroitEvictionHelp.com.

Stay updated on this and any future efforts regarding evictions by visiting the Court’s website at www.36thdistrictcourt.org.

 

Ascension Michigan to pay $2.8M to feds over hysterectomies


SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan health care provider has agreed to pay $2.8 million to the federal government to settle allegations that a doctor performed unnecessary hysterectomies and other services, officials said Thursday.

The deal settles claims of false billings made by Ascension Michigan to Medicare, Medicaid and another federal insurance program, the U.S. Justice Department said.

The doctor's name wasn't disclosed. Over a six-year period, the government contends that radical hysterectomies were performed on women when only a simple hysterectomy was necessary, and chemotherapies also weren't necessary. A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus.

Ascension Michigan knew there were problems after it asked another doctor to look at records, the government said.

"We will vigorously pursue those who knowingly fail to repay monies they have received based on services which were not medically necessary or not rendered as billed," said Saima Mohsin, the acting U.S. attorney in Detroit.

Three people who blew the whistle on Ascension Michigan will share $532,000, the government said.


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