Van Duyne Presses Sec. Becerra on ‘Fraudulent Hospice Schemes’

Texas Representative Beth Van Duyne (R) recently pressed Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra on the fraudulent hospice schemes operating throughout the country.

“According to @CMSGov, there are more than 100 unique hospice providers operating out of this one address… Does that seem accurate to you? I pressed @SecBecerra about his failure to address fraudulent hospice schemes that have defrauded taxpayers of MILLIONS of dollars,” tweeted Rep. Van Duyne.

Van Duyne questioned Sec. Becerra on the hospice facilities that she claimed were fraudulent.

“Do you recognize this building? It’s in a Van Nuys neighborhood in Los Angeles. CMS is a sole authority in certifying hospice facilities, yet there are over 100 unique hospice providers registered at this location alone. It is frightening that that has been allowed to happen,” said Van Duyne. “And, Mr. Secretary as you’re aware, I raised this issue with you a year ago at our last budget hearing. And somehow here we are again dealing with the same problems.”

The Texas representative expressed her frustration about the cancellation of an attempt to get to the bottom of the hospice’s operations.

“My staff was looking forward to a long-planned meeting with CMS last week on this issue to find out how this continues to have more enrollment and how we’re continuing to enroll other facilities here. And yet, at the last minute, we had a cancellation of the meeting with nothing, no other explanation than a scheduling conflict,” said Van Duyne.

“So I’m here to ask you directly, do you commit to seniors watching this hearing that your agency will prevent them from becoming embroiled in fraudulent hospital schemes that deprive them of needed medical care?” asked the Texas congresswoman.

Beccera responded succinctly, affirming his allegiance to hospice seniors.

“We certainly can commit to every senior who’s in need of hospice care. We’ll do everything we can,” said Becerra.