In an unusual move, federal prosecutors filed suit against New York City this week for alleged fraud arguing the city provided in-home care to residents who should have been placed in nursing homes.

Specifically, federal officials say the city approved Medicaid in-home care services in many cases without proper recommendations from doctors. The reason, they allege, is that by providing in-home care rather than placing people in nursing homes the city was able to shift costs to the state and federal government.

In particular, the lawsuit cites three cases of older individuals who federal officials say should be in nursing homes since they have threatened suicide or have difficulty functioning in their homes, but were instead able to obtain in-home care.

The suggestion that people should be placed in institutional facilities, however, is raising the ire of disability advocates who argue that living in the community is a civil right, reports The New York Times. To read more click here.

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