Sánchez debunks Trump’s Medicare fraud lies

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today called out President Trump and Republicans during a Ways and Means Committee hearing, dismantling their claim that Medicare fraud is a problem unique to Democratic-led states.

Sánchez put the question directly to the witnesses, asking whether Medicare fraud occurred only in “blue states” or in every state. Every single witness, including those invited by the Republican majority, agreed by a show of hands that it happens in every state.

Witnesses agreeing that Medicare fraud occurs in every state, not just Democratic-led states.

“By a quick show of hands, very quickly, how many of you think that Medicare fraud only happens in blue states?” said Congresswoman Sanchez.

“Let the record reflect that nobody raised their hands.

“And how many you, by a show of hands, think that it happens in every state. 

“Let the record reflect that everybody agrees it happens in all states.

“There are many unscrupulous actors all over the United States. Texas is one example. The HHS [inspector general] found a hospice executive was guilty of falsely enrolling Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, telling them they had mere months to live. End-of life care is very personal to me because I was a caregiver for both my father and mother who died from Alzheimer’s. It’s unfortunately one of the most common diagnoses for patients who have elected the hospice benefit. And I can tell you that the hospice benefit is a critical support not just for the patient, but for their caregivers who have a huge burden. But that benefit needs to be updated because over the past 10 years, public trust in that benefit has eroded.”

Video of the congresswoman’s full remarks is available HERE.

Sheila Clark, president and CEO of California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, and a witness invited by Chairman Jason Smith, supported Sánchez’ bill, the Hospice CARE Act. The bill is the only comprehensive federal legislation that would reform the hospice benefit, and address rampant hospice fraud in Medicare, while modernizing the benefit for patients and caregivers.  

Medicare’s hospice benefit has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1982. However, the hospice industry has changed dramatically both in terms of the types of providers delivering and patients receiving end-of-life services. At the same time, documented and burgeoning fraud and abuse have raised questions about how to ensure the benefit continues to promote patient access while safeguarding the Medicare Trust Fund.

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