It seems scarcely a day goes by anymore without some new fraud scheme being uncovered. In one way, that's good, because the perpetrators are being caught. In another, it's bad, because the systems, in this case Medicaid, are so poorly handled that the opportunities for fraud seem rampant.
Still, capture of accused fraudsters is always a good thing, and the latest comes to us from swing-state Pennsylvania, where unlike some other states I could name (I'm looking at you, Minnesota) politicians on both sides of the aisle are showing support for the enforcement efforts.
The DOJ’s expanded anti-fraud task force made its first sweeping bust of Medicaid scofflaws in Pennsylvania this month, drawing comparisons to the massive fraud scandals that rocked Minnesota — but with one major difference.
Republicans and Democrats in the state united in outrage after nearly two dozen people were charged in Philadelphia and elsewhere. The DOJ noted Pennsylvania spends $8 billion on Medicaid home-care services, more than almost any other state, and those services were the target of the busts.
"The allegations are really disturbing just as they are in Minnesota and other places where we've seen this," House Ways and Means Committee member Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview.
Here's the really egregious part of these latest busts; some of the fraud was committed while the fraudsters were driving for Uber, or even actually in jail, according to an official Department of Justice press release.
Today’s cases demonstrate that even the boldest fraudsters will be caught and stopped. In one case announced today, four defendants, two purported aides and two Medicaid recipients, were charged in connection with a conspiracy to submit claims for home health services that never occurred. One purported aide claimed to be providing services while she was incarcerated; another purportedly provided services while hospitalized. These four defendants caused over $440,000 in claims to Medicaid. In another of today’s cases, two defendants, father and son, were charged after the son, a purported aide, claimed to be providing services while driving for a ride-share and food delivery service. On one occasion, the defendants claimed services while the son was in the midst of a traffic stop in which he was cited for possession of marijuana; on another, the defendants claimed services while the father was in court participating in a sentencing hearing for another individual.
That takes a lot of gall. The "greedy, mean and stupid" classifications would all seem to apply here, with a big dose of "stupid," for having the nerve to submit fraudulent claims while actually in jail.
The theft of Medicaid funds is particularly outrageous. While we may very well question the constitutionality of these federal programs and the management thereof that seems to make them targets for fraud, the funds are nevertheless supposed to be going to providing healthcare to people of limited means. The fraudsters here are, in effect, stealing from the people least able to afford the less. Even more to the point, they are stealing from the taxpayers. At least, in swing-state Pennsylvania, politicians in both parties are openly and rightly supporting the federal efforts to catch the fraudsters.
(Republican Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) said Pennsylvania welcomes fellow Keystone Stater and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz and his investigators, adding that he is grateful state officials in Harrisburg are also taking note.
That cooperation sets the Pennsylvania busts apart from those in Minnesota, where Gov. Tim Walz has faced accusations of inaction over what has become a multibillion-dollar scandal.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signaled cooperation and collaboration with Republicans in going after Medicaid fraudsters in remarks his office made to Fox News Digital.
Good. This isn't, or shouldn't be, a partisan issue. These investigations and arrests shouldn't be marred by overt displays of Trump Derangement Syndrome. In Pennsylvania, we have an example of how these things should proceed, and Minnesota could profit by following their example.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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