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The state of Florida spends an estimated $6.7 billion annually to provide health care to 1.6 million people on welfare or in nursing homes. A statewide grand jury had some interesting comments on the overabundance of fraud schemes that permeate the system.
Jurors said:
- They were “shocked by the multitude of scams which unscrupulous DME suppliers inflict upon the public.”
- “Fraud artists, like roaches, are persistent. A one-time application of pesticide does not forever eliminate destructive insects and pests.”
- “If the state relaxes its anti-fraud enforcement efforts, the criminals will simply lurk in the shadows like cockroaches.”
- “Criminals will quickly scurry back into action, feasting on the taxpayers’ dollars, leaving us all to wonder why we can’t get rid of them” (if the state focuses attention elsewhere).
Yearend reports claimed that 85 people had been arrested during 1996 for the theft of about $15 to $20 million. The majority of those arrested were suppliers of durable medical equipment.
© Copyright 1997 Alikim Media