R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, announced today that a former Wachovia Bank assistant vice president, Javier J. Ortiz, 36, of Miami, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Adalberto Jordan to a 36 month prison term for his role in a conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an extensive Medicare fraud scheme.

Amid harsh criticism, the center-right coalition government has withdrawn its plan to confine sickness benefit payments.

Medicare reforms continue transition to more accurate hospital services payment system - promote quality care for all hospitalized patients.

"Congress has an historic opportunity to join with the American College of Physicians (ACP), other physician organizations and employers to redesign Medicare payment policies to provide incentives for patient-centered care," ACP told the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health in a written statement for the record submitted today. Thursday's hearing was on Options to Improve Quality and Efficiency Among Medicare Physicians.