President Donald Trump issued a pardon to nursing home owner Joseph Schwartz, who had admitted to withholding $39 million in employee payroll taxes and faced a $19 million wrongful death judgment for the family of Doris Coulson. Schwartz’s business practices allegedly led to neglect and death at his nursing homes, with the Coulson family’s suit detailing Doris’s death due to improper feeding. Despite these severe issues, the White House cited “over prosecution” and Schwartz’s age and health for the pardon, while Schwartz’s lawyers argued his actions were aimed at saving his company, not personal enrichment. Even after his release, Schwartz remained elusive, with a family lawyer unable to serve him with a subpoena to compel payment of the substantial judgment.
Read More
A Guardian investigation reveals that UnitedHealth Group secretly paid nursing homes bonuses to reduce hospital transfers, saving the company millions but potentially jeopardizing resident health. This cost-cutting strategy, involving UnitedHealth medical teams in nearly 2,000 nursing homes, resulted in delayed or avoided hospitalizations in several documented cases, with at least one resident suffering permanent brain damage. The investigation, based on thousands of records and interviews, uncovered UnitedHealth’s focus on minimizing “admits per thousand,” incentivizing care denial. UnitedHealth denies preventing necessary transfers, asserting its program improves outcomes, but whistleblowers and internal documents contradict this claim.
Read More
A 79-year-old resident of Aspira Traditions in Oshawa died from exposure after wandering outside the building on March 31, 2023, and being unable to re-enter due to locked doors. Two employees, Padmini Kisseur and Danika Harrison, are charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide necessaries of life. The woman, described as vulnerable, exited the building around 7:30 p.m. and was found deceased the following morning. The ongoing investigation seeks further information from anyone with relevant knowledge.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker