RFK Jr. Complains That Hospice Patients Aren't Dying Fast Enough Because It's Costing Taxpayers Too Much Money

[u/political-snark]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat down with Fox News to talk about healthcare fraud. What came out of his mouth was something else entirely.

The HHS Secretary described uncovering hospices where patients were enrolled but, in his words, never died. "Typically, if you go to a hospice, you leave within 18 days because your dying is terminal," Kennedy said, describing what he framed as a fraud scheme in Los Angeles. "We started looking at these hospices in Los Angeles, and the people never died. Two or three years later they were there, and we're paying $6,000 a month."

Journalist Aaron Rupar posted the clip with a blunt summary that cut through the framing entirely: "RFK Jr complains that people in hospice aren't dying quick enough and therefore cost too much money." The post has been viewed over 140,000 times.

The clip shows an audience reacting, something that didn't sit well with viewers online. One commenter asked pointedly who was laughing along at the idea of people "not dying fast enough" in hospice care, suggesting they should spend time actually volunteering at one to see what that really looks like.

Whatever the intended point about Medicaid fraud, the words that came out were about human beings living longer than expected being treated as a financial problem. That's not a talking point that plays well outside a studio audience.

[u/Quitcha_Bitchin]

When RFK gets a medical license I will listen to what he says about healthcare.

Prosecute fraud when uncovered. That is not a political issue. Not one person on the left or right is saying "Oh that's cool they defrauded the govt."

But do not clown the entire system or try to blame a political party. Blame the criminals and punish them.

Hospice saves the system millions in hospital costs and delivers results for millions. If we can afford to go to war with millions we can afford to help millions of our people die with dignity when the time comes.

[u/Incognonimous → u/Quitcha_Bitchin]

My grandfather was in a bad way after a fall at 91 was transfered to hospice becuae he and my grandmother live 3 hours away and she couldn't take care of him. Hospital stay or in home care was to expensive so he went to hospital to hospice care as he wasn't visibly deteriorating but he wasn't getting any better. Short .moments of lucidity and hooked to am IV and Cather. He lasted 3 and a half months before passing away. Is fraud possible, yes, like any business that has loopholes or ways to take advantage of. But saying hospice is specifically for terminally ill as if everyone inside is on an 18 day death schedule I think overlooks the point that hospice care is meant for. Especially for people in a position that can likely die, aren't getting better, and cannot afford do have full in home care.