1. United States
2. Ark.
3. Letter

I appreciate that Trump and republicans are working on ridding Medicare and Medicaid of fraud and abuse. However, I would like an explanation for several actions of the executive branch that are contrary to this mission. The cases of Medicare and Medicaid fraud pardoned by Trump are numerous. I will present one a day. When I finish with health care fraud, we can look at those who have engaged in bank and securities fraud pardoned by Trump. Yesterday was Lawrence Duran and Judith Negron, today is Dr Solomon Melgen, a Harvard graduate and retina specialist practicing in Port St Lucie and Delray Florida. Dr. Melgen was convicted of falsely diagnosing and treating hundreds of elderly patients for macular degeneration. He did injections into the eyes and photodynamic therapy to the retina. Many of these patients did not have macular degeneration. These treatments were painful and potentially harmful to their vision if unneeded. As a solo practitioner from 2008 to 2013 he billed Medicare about 100 million dollars, Medicaid about 10 million dollars, private insurance about 62 million dollars and patient payments about 3 million dollars. Not only was the monetary price paid, but also Americans were injured and taken advantage of by this man. He was convicted in February 2018 of fraud for over 70 million dollars, the fraud loss to Medicare was 42 million dollars. He was sentenced to 17 years and required to reimburse Medicare. Trump pardoned him January 20, 2021. His sentence became time served. Thankfully, the monetary fine remained. Dr Melgen was also involved in the Bob Menendez bribery case. Republicans complain about all the Medicare cheats but turn their eyes from those who perpetrate massive fraud against our country by stealing the money meant to help the old and poor. Please explain to your constituents how this pardon fights fraud and abuse. It certainly appears that these folks were not held accountable for their corruption. How many of your constituents could be given health care with the 42 million dollars stolen from Medicare? Please explain why this criminal was pardoned, while republicans cut regular people from health care. Next, Philip Esformes. done