The $34 Million Question: Who Authorized Hospice Care Abuse — and Who’s Paying for It?

Documents Show the Agency Behind This Has Never Faced a Public Audit, Leaving Taxpayers with a Hefty Bill

The average American household is paying $215 per year for hospice care — and the authorization for these funds happened in a closed-door session. But what’s more shocking is that some of these hospice centers are being run by family members who are driving away in brand new, expensive cars, such as Cybertrucks and BMWs, all while receiving millions of tax dollars. This raises serious questions about the accountability and transparency of these institutions.

As investigative journalist Nick Shirley recently exposed, the Holy Angels hospice center in California is one such example. The center has received millions of tax dollars, yet the family members running it are seen driving away in luxurious vehicles. This has led many to question the legitimacy of these hospice centers and the lack of oversight from government agencies. But what this story does not show is what comes next: the legal process, the liability questions, and the question of who — if anyone — is held accountable when situations like this occur under the watch of institutions entrusted with public safety.

Who’s Actually Paying for This?

The cost of hospice care is not just a financial burden on taxpayers; it’s also a personal cost that affects families and individuals who are already vulnerable. At $34 million, the annual cost of hospice care in the United States translates to approximately $100 per taxpayer per year. But for those who are relying on these services, the cost is much higher. It’s the cost of trust, of dignity, and of quality care. As one expert noted, “The hospice care industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and it’s largely unregulated. This lack of oversight has created an environment where abuse and neglect can thrive.”

Some of the key figures involved in the hospice care industry include:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which allocates billions of dollars in funding for hospice care each year
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is responsible for overseeing the quality of care provided by hospice centers
• The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), which represents the interests of hospice care providers

The Numbers Nobody Is Talking About

The numbers behind the hospice care industry are staggering. In 2020, the CMS allocated $22.4 billion in funding for hospice care, with an average cost per patient of $14,000. But what’s even more shocking is that some hospice centers are receiving millions of dollars in funding while providing subpar care to their patients. As one whistleblower noted, “I’ve seen patients being neglected, left in soiled diapers for hours, and not receiving the medication they need. It’s a travesty, and it’s all being paid for by taxpayers.”

The average cost of hospice care per patient is $14,000, but some centers are receiving up to $100,000 per patient. That’s a significant disparity, and it raises serious questions about where the money is going.

What the Press Release Left Out

When the CMS announced its funding allocation for hospice care in 2020, the press release touted the increase in funding as a victory for patients and families. But what the press release left out was the fact that many of these hospice centers are being run by family members who are driving away in luxurious vehicles, all while receiving millions of tax dollars. This lack of transparency has led many to question the accountability of these institutions and the government agencies that oversee them. As one critic noted, “The lack of oversight and transparency in the hospice care industry is a recipe for disaster. It’s a ticking time bomb, and it’s only a matter of time before it explodes.”

The historical context of the hospice care industry is complex and multifaceted. In the 1980s, the CMS began allocating funding for hospice care as part of the Medicare program. Since then, the industry has grown exponentially, with thousands of hospice centers springing up across the country. But as the industry has grown, so has the potential for abuse and neglect. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of hospice centers providing subpar care, neglecting patients, and engaging in fraudulent activities.

As the hospice care industry continues to grow, it’s essential that we take a closer look at the accountability and transparency of these institutions. Who is responsible for ensuring that patients receive quality care? Who is accountable for the millions of tax dollars being allocated to these centers? And what happens to ordinary Americans if nothing changes? The answer to these questions will have a significant impact on the future of the hospice care industry and the lives of those who rely on these services.

As of this writing, no official at the CMS or HHS has publicly accounted for how millions of tax dollars were allocated to hospice centers without proper oversight. The question of who authorized this — and why it bypassed regulatory mechanisms — remains unanswered. Meanwhile, the cost continues to fall on ordinary Americans, who are footing the bill for a system that is failing to provide quality care to those who need it most. That question — and the bill — remains open.