WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Ways and Means Committee held a four-hour hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday examining Medicare hospice fraud that is costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Lawmakers demanded answers and recommendations to crack down on fraudulent operators who have billed Medicare hospice programs for end-of-life care using fake or stolen names.

"We are holding this hearing because the American people are demanding answers about the theft of their tax dollars and their Medicare benefits. To the fraudsters: your time operating in the dark is way over," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith said.

Representatives on both sides of the aisle agreed they need more accountability to protect Medicare hospice programs, though Republicans and Democrats each blamed the other party for Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud occurs in states led by governors from both parties.

Representative Lloyd Doggett pushed for action beyond rhetoric. "Tough talk is just not a substitute for an effective congressional response and effective enforcement," Doggett said.

An investigation found signs of potential hospice fraud across Los Angeles County. All business and financial records of every hospice operating in the county were examined using indicators identified by state auditors as potential fraud red flags. More than 700 of the approximately 1,800 hospices in Los Angeles County trigger multiple fraud red flags as defined by the state. Some offices in the county with mail piled up are purporting to provide hospice services but appear to be empty.

Dr. Lynn Ianni testified that her Medicare number was stolen and used to enroll her in hospice care she did not need, which she discovered when she sought treatment for a pickleball injury. "My message is simply because you here have the capacity and the ability, I would like to entrust you with a responsibility as well, to take action by working together to solve this problem," Ianni said.

Victims of fraudulent hospice enrollment often spend hours trying to get unenrolled from care they do not need, and enrollment in hospice care often disqualifies patients from getting other medical care through Medicare. Lawmakers at the hearing also asked about the long-term consequences for providers who are not involved in fraud and are providing services to end-of-life patients.