How Fraudsters Are Bilking the Government Out of Billions of Dollars

In this episode of the Odd Lots podcast, the hosts delve into the issues of government waste and fraud, particularly in the healthcare sector. They speak with Jetson Leder-Luis, a specialist in government fraud, who outlines various schemes, such as those involving ambulance services and durable medical equipment. Leder-Luis discusses the effectiveness of the False Claims Act and its whistleblower program, stressing the importance of improved data analysis and incentivized enforcement to tackle fraud. He argues that current approaches often overlook the value of deterrence. Interestingly, he also notes that some activities that might seem fraudulent, like expanded hospice care, can actually lead to cost savings and better patient outcomes.