Task Force to Eliminate Fraud

Vice President JD Vance, as the nation’s fraud czar, announced efforts to target unemployment benefit programs in Minnesota and other states. U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling threatened to withhold federal funds from states failing to address mismanagement and fraud in unemployment insurance programs. Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) defended its program as compliant and a top performer in integrity.

A top federal prosecutor in California accused state leaders of allowing widespread fraud, citing a $45 million Medicare Botox scam and warning officials could face charges if found enabling fraud. The prosecutor highlighted federal efforts to pursue fraud cases and criticized California's medical licensing process for contributing to the problem.

The CEO of a California hospice advocacy group criticized Congress for allowing fraudulent hospice providers to operate without oversight, citing instances of empty facilities and $180 billion in alleged fraud under Governor Gavin Newsom. A psychotherapist testified about being falsely enrolled in hospice care, highlighting systemic failures in Medicare oversight. The Trump administration's task force has suspended 447 hospices in Los Angeles over $600 million in suspected fraud.

A California hospice CEO testified before Congress, alleging widespread fraud in the hospice industry, with some providers operating without patients or staff. Sheila Clark of CHAPCA criticized regulatory failures, while Dr. Lynn Ianni shared her experience of being falsely enrolled in hospice care. The Trump administration has suspended 447 LA-area hospices over $600M in suspected fraud, as California Gov. Newsom denied state responsibility for Medicare billing issues.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the DOJ is investigating over 8,000 fraud cases worth $1 trillion in potential taxpayer theft. He emphasized collaboration with Vice President JD Vance's anti-fraud task force, while noting Trump's influence over DOJ investigations.