CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, speaking today at the Republican National Convention, emphasized the scale of fraud in federal health programs during his remarks on the administration's enforcement actions. He noted that fraud steals the nation's trust and rots the foundation of society, pointing out that Medicare and Medicaid were established 60 years ago in a high-trust environment.

Recent actions underscore the focus on prevention. On September 9, CMS barred 11 medical supply companies linked to more than $3.4 billion in suspected fraudulent Medicare billing from 2025 and 2026. The companies submitted claims for deceased beneficiaries and equipment never requested or received. Oz stated that fraudsters taking advantage of the recently deceased represent a level of indecency that will not be tolerated.

The broader crackdown has produced substantial results. A June national health care fraud takedown charged 455 defendants in connection with over $6.5 billion in alleged fraud across Medicare, Medicaid, and related programs. CMS suspended 1,079 providers and revoked billing privileges for 1,403 others. The White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President JD Vance, coordinates these whole-of-government efforts.

Oz has estimated annual fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid at around $100 billion. He has argued that removing fraud could double the life expectancy of the Medicare trust fund. Actions include nationwide moratoria on certain durable medical equipment suppliers and audits targeting high-risk providers in multiple states.

These measures shift from a pay-and-chase model to real-time detection using advanced data analytics. Officials report blocking improper payments before they occur, protecting both beneficiaries and taxpayers. The efforts align with President Trump's directive to confront fraud aggressively in federal benefit programs.