There has been a lot of talk about cuts to Medicaid and Medicare in the new legislation, but here’s the truth, what is being cut is waste, fraud and abuse, NOT essential benefits or care.

Remember when DOGE identified billions in mismanaged or stolen taxpayer funds? A portion of that misuse was within our healthcare program. These reforms aim to stop things like illegal immigrants receiving benefits they are not entitled to and large corporations overcharging and exploiting Medicare and Medicaid.

To support our rural communities during this cleanup, the Senate has included a $50 billion emergency fund, yes billion with a B, to help rural hospitals stay open and fully functional during this transition. This isn’t about reducing care, it’s about restoring integrity, cutting corruption and protecting taxpayers and patients alike.

The DOJ has charged 324 defendants in connection with a nationwide health care fraud takedown, resulting in charges related to over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud. This action is part of the largest health care fraud enforcement action in the Dept of Justice’s history. The defendants face charges related to various schemes, including:

Fraudulent billing of Medicare and other federal health care programs.

False claims for services never rendered.

Billing for unnecessary or excessive treatments.

Kickback schemes.

Some defendants allegedly solicited and received bribes in exchange for patient referrals or for the use of medical licenses.

Illegal distribution of controlled substances, several individuals were charged with unlawfully distributing opioids and other narcotics.

Fraudulent schemes related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

Some defendants are accused or fraudulently obtaining funds from these programs designed to support businesses during the pandemic.

The takedown involves collaboration between the DOJ, the Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FBI, the DEA and other federal and state law enforcement agencies.

A significant portion of the defendants are healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical personnel. The DOJ has emphasized that this enforcement action demonstrates their commitment to combatting health care fraud and protecting the integrity of federal programs and the lawful citizens of the USA.

Remember all the years hearing about how Social Security and Medicare were running out of money, well this could be our last chance to see these programs made financially sound once again. The billions of fraud and waste must be stopped if we have any hope of having these programs for future generations of American citizens.