In April 2026, the Department of Justice National Fraud Division announced the creation of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force.[1] The initiative will be active in the Northern District of California, Ariona, and Nevada.[2] Its purpose to combat rising rates of health care fraud, the Strike Force will be staffed by a minimum of ten (10) prosecutors from the National Fraud Division’s health Care Fraud Section.[3] The prosecutors will work with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and tribal law enforcement.[4]
The new Strike Force adds an arm to the existing National Rapid Response Strike Force, founded in 2020.[5] The program pairs health care fraud prosecutors in Washington D.C. with U.S. Attorney’s offices, its purpose to prosecute cases of suspected health care fraud, reportedly resulting in the prosecution of over 6,200 suspected fraudsters, suspected to have defrauded the government and private insurance companies to the tune of over $45 billion.[6] The new Strike Force will bring an increased presence of federal prosecutors to the region, providing for more localized case management. The program was announced within weeks of the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, under the Department of Justice. Colin McDonald, Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, announced the West Coast Strike Force’s creation.[7]
What does the announcement of the new Strike Force mean for health care providers and other participants in federal and commercial health programs? The new West Coast Strike Force was founded against the backdrop of a national increase in the monitoring and prosecution of all forms of health care fraud. The announcement should put all providers and companies that participate in federal and private health care programs on alert. It will be important to thoroughly review and carefully implement operating procedures to ensure full compliance with laws including the False Claims Act and the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The Strike Force’s use of data analytics and focus on digital technology is particularly noteworthy, signaling increased monitoring and prosecution of perpetrators who use advancing technology to commit health care fraud.
The Flannery | Georgalis Team is comprised of experienced former federal and state prosecutors, many of whom have prosecuted, and now defend, health care fraud cases. If you need a polished, professional, and meticulous team, give us a call.
[1] “Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald Announces New West Coast Strike Force.” April 30, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/assistant-attorney-general-colin-mcdonald-announces-new-west-coast-strike-force.
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] “The Fraud Division Launches West Coast Strike Force to Target Health Care Fraud Schemes Across Arizona, Nevada, and Northern California.” April 30, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/fraud-division-launches-west-coast-strike-force-target-health-care-fraud-schemes-across.
[7] “Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald Announces New West Coast Strike Force,” supra note 1.