Oversight Committee Investigates Rampant California Hospice Fraud – Newsom 'Aware' of Problem for Years

Oversight Committee investigates widespread hospice fraud in California with Newsom aware for years.

In a previous life, I had a retail business, and we operated out of several Los Angeles mini-malls over the years. In each one, there was always some strangely named business like “Medical Supply Depot” or something, and there never seemed to be anybody working there, they had virtually no supplies, and no customers ever showed up.

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I always wondered what they were. With the recent investigations into rampant medical fraud in the Golden State, I may finally have my answer.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Chairman James Comer (KY-01), wants answers too, and on Monday, they announced they are aiming to find out. In a social media post, they declared that they’re launching an investigation, noting that Gov. Gavin Newsom has known about the problem for years but has done nothing about it:


MORE: Newsom’s Hospice Fraud 'Crackdown' Collapses: 197 Agencies Registered to One Address

Newsom Tries to Shame Nick Shirley for Investigating CA Fraud; Shirley Smokes Him With Brutal Reply


In their letter to the infamously coiffed governor, the Committee blasted his (lack of) leadership, which they say is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars:

Following alarming reports that California officials failed to properly safeguard federal funds, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Oversight Committee Republicans today launched an investigation into rampant taxpayer fraud in California’s hospice programs. In a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom, the lawmakers emphasized that the Newsom administration has been aware of state audit reports of hospice fraud for at least four years but has failed to prevent or detect it and has enabled hospice providers to defraud the American taxpayer and exploit vulnerable patients. The Oversight Committee is now requesting documents and communications regarding California’s oversight and internal controls to detect and prevent fraud for its federally funded hospice programs.

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It’s not just a California problem, they explained — it affects all Americans.

"As a result [of government mismanagement], Americans across the country are paying for California’s rampant hospice fraud and vulnerable patients are being exploited. California has a well-documented history of fraud in its hospice programs. Your administration has been aware of credible reports of hospice fraud for at least four years. Despite these red flags, it appears California has enabled hospice providers to defraud the American taxpayer and exploit vulnerable patients,” wrote the Republican lawmakers.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, laid out in a March 18 interview the staggering scope of the problem:

Investigations by the California Post, reporter Nick Shirley, and others have uncovered a network of “ghost” hospices operating out of empty offices, homes, and even auto supply stores. Comer estimates that CA residents, especially in the Los Angeles area, are being ripped off to the tune of over $100 million a year. Just think, all that money could go toward another bridge to nowhere.

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Like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Newsom is finding out that allowing massive graft has a way of catching up to you. Let’s hope Comer’s committee comes up with the damning goods and ends Hair Gel’s presidential aspirations for good. 

Editor’s Note: Gavin Newsom wants to turn America into one big version of California - a failed, overtaxed, dystopian nightmare.

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Bob Hoge

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