Healthcare

The (New) Largest Medicare Fraud Bust

The Obama Administration is going after healthcare fraud with gusto.

Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius have announced the largest healthcare fraud bust of this administration, surpassing the previous record set in February.

Washington (CNN) -- More than 100 people have been charged and an estimated $450 million in false billings uncovered by federal agents in a nationwide operation that authorities say is the largest bust in recent history.

Law enforcement sources say the charges were lodged in seven metropolitan areas, capping an investigation of several months into efforts to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health programs.

It is the largest of four such sweeps announced during the Obama administration.

I have nothing more than anecdotal evidence to base the claim on, but I would not be shocked in the slightest to learn a great number of those busted in this nationwide operation were sympathetic and supportive of the campaign to block healthcare reform. Because confronting phony billing is a centerpiece of that reform. And not just the illegal kind.

The previous record-setting bust of this administration was that of Dr. Jacques Roy, who was accused of over $375 million in phony billing.