Efforts to Combat Hospice Fraud in California

Kim Johnson, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, has announced the exposure of a major hospice fraud scheme. This scheme defrauded California of $267 million. The announcement was made during a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Home health care and hospice services play a vital role for many Americans. These services provide essential care at home, whether helping patients recover post-hospitalization or offering comfort to seniors and their families during end-of-life care. The trust placed in these services underscores the damaging effect of fraud within Medicare home health and hospice programs. Fraud not only misappropriates taxpayer funds but also exploits vulnerable patients, undermines trustworthy providers, and diminishes confidence in crucial healthcare services.

Addressing this fraud is a national priority. Collaboration is key, which is why partnering with the National Alliance for Care at Home to promote the Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act is significant. This legislation aims to strengthen program integrity in home health and hospice care while ensuring access for patients who rely on these services.

There have been warning signs of hospice fraud for years. Concerns about gaps in oversight enabling exploitation have been raised by legitimate providers, families, and policymakers. These issues were presented to federal regulators and highlighted in hearings long before gaining national attention. While fraud concerns have increased, it is crucial to recognize that most hospice providers deliver compassionate, high-quality care.

The Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act takes a data-driven approach to combating fraud while preserving care access. It gives Medicare and Medicaid Services tools to enhance oversight and accountability. Measures include penalizing providers for not submitting required data and requiring site visits for questionable billing or suspicious patterns. This approach ensures patients and families receive reliable care.

Improving the accountability of accrediting organizations helps prevent fraudulent operators from accessing Medicare. Preventing their entry is as crucial as removing them once identified. Acknowledgment is given to Dr. Mehmet Oz for his leadership and collaboration in advancing oversight strategies focused on enforcement where necessary.

Providers, regulators, and lawmakers share the objective of ensuring patients receive high-quality care from trusted providers while protecting taxpayer resources. This legislation is a significant step towards that goal. It encourages bipartisan support in Congress to bolstering oversight, protecting patients, and maintaining trust in home care services.

Integrity in Medicare and access to care should not be seen as opposing priorities. Ensuring Medicare integrity is integral to protecting access for those who depend on these services.

Representative Beth Van Duyne represents Texas’s 24th District and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. Jennifer Sheets is the CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home.

All rights are reserved by Nexstar Media Inc. 2026. This material cannot be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.