Vance Task Force Blocks $1.4 Billion To Suspect Home Health, Hospice Firms
Vice President JD Vance's Task Force To Eliminate Fraud has suspended $1.4 billion in federal payments to home health and hospice providers nationwide as of mid-May 2026.[1]
CMS reports that about 90% of providers whose payments were suspended have not contacted the agency, which officials say suggests many were sham operations.[1] CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the crackdown has uncovered international fraud rings.[1] He cited alleged Russian involvement in Los Angeles, Chinese-linked schemes in New York and Cuban-linked durable medical equipment scams in South Florida.[1]
Los Angeles County enforcement alone previously suspended 447 hospices and 23 home health agencies, with suspected losses exceeding $600 million.[1] The actions come amid a wider federal effort to recover pandemic-era fraud, including the Small Business Administration's referral of 562,000 suspected fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans totaling more than $22.2 billion to the Treasury Department for collection.
Officials say the suspensions are designed to stop payments while investigators sort legitimate providers from fraudulent operations.[1] The move raises questions about how quickly legitimate firms can restore funding and how aggressively agencies will pursue recovery from suspected international fraud rings.
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📌 Key Facts
- Vice President JD Vance's Task Force To Eliminate Fraud has led to the suspension of $1.4 billion in federal funding to home health and hospice providers nationwide as of mid-May 2026.
- CMS reports that around 90% of providers whose payments were suspended have not contacted the agency, which officials say suggests many were sham operations.
- CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz says the crackdown has exposed international fraud rings, including alleged Russian involvement in Los Angeles, Chinese-linked schemes in New York and Cuban-linked durable medical equipment scams in South Florida.
- Prior enforcement in Los Angeles County alone suspended 447 hospices and 23 home health agencies, with suspected losses exceeding $600 million.
- The Small Business Administration has referred 562,000 suspected fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans totaling more than $22.2 billion to the Treasury Department for collection.
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