The anti-fraud task force led by Vice President JD Vance says it has suspended 447 hospice providers and 23 home health agencies in the Los Angeles area over suspected fraud, with the total amount in question exceeding $600 million. The figure marks a sharp jump from early April, when about 70 suspensions had been reported.
Officials involved in the effort are framing the increase as a sign that the crackdown is accelerating. A spokesperson for Vance said the task force is actively tracking down fraudulent activity and intends to keep going until taxpayer money is no longer being diverted.
The message from the White House has been similarly direct, with one official warning that those involved should not expect to stay hidden for long. According to that official, investigators are continuing to pursue leads, and both the number of cases and the amount of money involved are expected to grow.
The Los Angeles actions come alongside other moves tied to the broader anti-fraud initiative. Earlier this year, Vance and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced plans to block $259.5 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota, citing concerns about misuse. That decision followed increased scrutiny of fraud in state-run programs and came shortly after Governor Tim Walz said he would not seek another term.
At the same time, developments in California’s legislature are drawing attention from both supporters and critics. Lawmakers are advancing a bill, AB 2624, that would expand privacy protections for immigration service providers by allowing them to keep certain identifying information out of public records. Backers argue the measure is meant to protect individuals and organizations that may face harassment or threats because of their work.
Critics, however, see it differently. Some, including independent journalist Nick Shirley, argue the proposal could make it harder to expose wrongdoing, particularly in cases involving publicly funded programs.
Shirley, who has previously reported on alleged fraud in Minnesota and is now focusing on California, has been outspoken in his opposition, claiming the bill could penalize investigative reporting.
🚨 NICK SHIRLEY JUST CALLED IT OUT!
Gavin Newsom’s California is moving to pass the ‘STOP Nick Shirley Act’ that would criminalize exposing FRAUD
“They’re literally willing to impose a $10,000 FINE or imprisonment if you go and seek to find out the truth about a location that… pic.twitter.com/Cu2Pm2WjWF
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 14, 2026
Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio has also criticized the legislation, describing it as an attempt to discourage watchdog journalism. He argues that instead of addressing fraud directly, the bill risks limiting the ability to document and share evidence of potential misconduct.
Supporters of the bill, including its sponsor Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, say those concerns are misplaced. Bonta has argued that protecting service providers from doxxing and harassment is necessary and does not prevent legitimate reporting.
