The Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown In American History Just Happened

The Justice Department just charged 324 people in a record-breaking health care fraud crackdown involving $14.6 billion in intended losses. Nearly 100 doctors, nurses, and medical professionals were involved in schemes targeting Medicare and Medicaid.

Here is what we know:

• A criminal network called Operation Gold Rush used stolen identities and shell companies to submit more than $10.6 billion in fake Medicare claims.

• More than 1 million Americans had their personal information stolen and used to bill for things like unnecessary urinary catheters.

• Law enforcement seized $245 million in cash, cryptocurrency, luxury cars, and property from those involved.

• The operation spanned 50 federal districts, involved 12 state attorneys general, and even resulted in arrests overseas.

• Federal agencies also revoked billing privileges for over 200 providers and stopped more than $4 billion in fraudulent payments before they went out.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who now leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, stood with the Justice Department at the press briefing and made it clear that this is just the beginning. He called these schemes organized criminal syndicates that exploit seniors and taxpayers. He also announced the launch of a CMS Fraud War Room to coordinate future crackdowns and stressed that whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing fraud because more than half of all tips come from them.

Dr. Oz is exactly right. Fraud at this scale is an attack on the country. Up to 25 percent of all health care spending may be wasteful or fraudulent. When politicians in Washington keep pushing for bigger government with less oversight, this is the result.

This is not victimless crime. Patients are abused. Costs rise for everyone. And taxpayer dollars that should be helping those in need are stolen by criminals.

It is time for real accountability:

• Lock up the criminals with hard prison time

• Shut down every company involved

• Ban every single doctor and nurse who participated from ever billing Medicare or Medicaid again

• Hold bureaucrats accountable if oversight failures allowed this to happen

Dr. Oz and law enforcement deserve credit for this massive takedown. It shows what can be done when leaders focus on enforcement and accountability instead of growing the bureaucracy.

$14.6 billion stolen. 324 people charged. One million Americans exploited.

If law enforcement can uncover this much in one operation, just imagine what is still out there!