Vance CRUSHES Hospice Scam – Task Force Strikes!

Vice President JD Vance’s task force suspended 447 Los Angeles hospices in a single stroke, yanking back over $600 million in taxpayer dollars from a brazen Medicare scam that preyed on the dying.

Story Snapshot

Vance-led federal task force suspends 447 hospices and 23 home health agencies for $600M Medicare fraud, up 539% from 70 earlier in April 2026.
Phantom facilities in LA billed for non-terminally ill patients using stolen identities, license flipping, and cash bribes.
Federal “Operation Never Say Die” arrests doctors and operators; state probes 300+ more amid political clash over fraud-shielding bill AB 2624.
LA County hosts 1,800 hospices, 39% flagged for red flags like 85% survival rates versus national norms.
Taxpayers robbed, legitimate patients disrupted, setting national precedent for anti-fraud crackdowns.

Vance Task Force Escalates Suspensions to Unprecedented Levels

Vice President JD Vance directs the anti-fraud task force that suspended 447 hospices and 23 home health agencies in Los Angeles. Federal investigators flagged these operations for Medicare fraud exceeding $600 million. Suspensions jumped 539% from 70 providers earlier in April 2026. The task force coordinates with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under Dr. Mehmet Oz. This action targets “phantom” facilities that exist only on paper to siphon funds.

New: JD Vance Shuts Down 447 LA Hospices in $600M Fraud Crackdown https://t.co/6K4JmZlMOd

— Bigmoe (@Bigmoe16574013) April 15, 2026

Fraudsters deployed license flipping, stolen identities from the dark web, and monthly cash incentives of $300 plus vitamins to enroll non-terminally ill patients. Los Angeles County licenses about 1,800 hospices. CBS analysis identified over 700, or 39%, with multiple state audit red flags. Concentrations cluster in areas like Van Nuys, where 42 licenses pack four blocks. All suspended providers held state licenses.

Federal and State Operations Dismantle Fraud Networks

Federal agents launched “Operation Never Say Die” on April 10, 2026, arresting doctors and nurses in Covina, Anaheim, and Glendale. Gladwin and Amelou Gill billed $5.2 million using their daughter’s name to dodge prior bans. Lolita Minerd ran an Anaheim hospice with 85% patient survival, far above national averages. Nita Palma managed three hospices from prison. The scheme stole over $50 million from Medicare.

California DOJ executed “Operation Skip Trace,” charging 21 suspects with $267 million in Medi-Cal fraud via 14 fake hospices offering no services. State officials probe 300 more for license revocation. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced arrests for conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering. These efforts expose systemic licensing failures that enable ghost operations.

New: JD Vance Shuts Down 447 LA Hospices in $600M Fraud Crackdown – RedState https://t.co/x4KKVY7FmP

— Karyn Snyder (@KarynSnyder17) April 15, 2026

Political Tensions Flare Over Fraud and Privacy Bill

Assemblywoman Mia Bonta introduced AB 2624, dubbed the “Nick Shirley Act” by critics after journalist Nick Shirley’s exposés. The bill passed committee 11-2, shielding immigrant service providers’ data from public exposure. GOP critics argue it protects fraudsters preying on vulnerable immigrants. Rob Bonta, Mia’s husband and state AG, pursues prosecutions while tied to the legislation. Facts align with conservative priorities: taxpayer protection trumps privacy shields for suspects.

White House statements warn fraudsters of relentless pursuit. Bonta claims his office performs “hard work” through investigations. Shirley contends AB 2624 criminalizes journalism that uncovers scams. Federal overrides state efforts, amplifying clashes between Trump administration resolve and California Democrats.

Impacts Rip Through Taxpayers, Patients, and Industry

Suspensions disrupt services for legitimate terminal patients, though patient overlap remains unclear. Long-term, billions in recoveries loom possible. Medicare and Medi-Cal lose funds meant for real end-of-life care. Thousands face compromised beneficiary data. Los Angeles immigrant communities, targeted for fraudulent enrollment, suffer eroded trust in hospice services.

The crackdown models national anti-fraud strategies, heightening scrutiny on hospice sectors nationwide. State investigations into 300-plus providers signal sweeping revocations. Economic theft diverts resources from vulnerable Americans. Political fallout underscores federal triumphs over state laxity, restoring common-sense accountability to healthcare.