Filipino nurses in US say acts of few don't reflect their work amid healthcare fraud issue

NEW YORK — The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) has appealed to the public not to judge Filipino nurses based on the actions of a few individuals, following the case of a Filipina nurse accused of allegedly masterminding a $906-million medical fraud scheme.

In a statement on Friday (Manila time), the PNAA warned against viewing all Filipino nurses in a bad light in the wake of the controversy and other similar cases as well.

"To the Filipino American community, we encourage continued pride in our collective contributions and vigilance in upholding the values that define us as nurses. To the public, we reaffirm that the actions of a few do not reflect the character or conduct of the many who dedicate their lives to healing and service," the association said.

The PNAA, which represents more than 150,000 Filipino American nurses across the United States, stressed that it upholds ethics, integrity, and accountability in the nursing profession.

"We recognize that one individual identified in the report is of Filipino descent. While such cases may draw attention to the nationality or background of those involved, we urge the public to avoid generalizations that unfairly impact an entire community. Filipino American nurses have a long and well-documented history of exemplary service, leadership, and dedication across all sectors of healthcare, often serving in the most critical settings, including underserved communities, acute care, and public health," the statement said.

The PNAA statement comes days after federal prosecutors accused Marizel Yukee, a Filipino nurse based in Las Vegas, of allegedly defrauding Medicare and TRICARE. She allegedly targeted elderly and terminally ill patients, including those in hospice care, by supposedly providing unnecessary wound treatments and billing government healthcare programs for the services.

A federal court in Texas issued a warrant for her arrest on multiple fraud-related charges and later ordered her to undergo home detention.

GMA News Online has requested comment from Yukee, but she has yet to respond as of posting time.

The PNAA expressed deep concern over not only this case, but of the charging of 450 individuals, including physicians and nurses, in connection with large-scale healthcare fraud.

Filipino nurses, the PNAA said, have consistently demonstrated their unwavering dedication and faithful service to their patients in the American healthcare system.

"For decades, Filipino nurses have been trusted frontline caregivers in the United States. They have played an essential role in advancing patient care quality, strengthening health system resilience, and contributing significantly during times of crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The overwhelming majority continue to demonstrate professionalism, cultural competence, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practice," the statement added.

Regardless of race

Filipina nurse Maria Damian, a healthcare executive, multisectoral entrepreneur, philanthropist, and California-based healthcare facility owner, said Yukee's indictment and the alleged involvement of other Filipino Americans in healthcare fraud are deeply concerning and have dealt a significant blow to the Filipino medical community.

"As members of the healthcare community, we have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and patient-centered care. While everyone is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence, allegations of this magnitude remind us how important accountability is in protecting vulnerable patients and preserving public trust in our healthcare system. Healthcare is a calling built on compassion—not personal enrichment at the expense of those we are entrusted to serve," Damian told GMA News.

For her part, New York-based Filipina nurse Mary Ann Gozon Kapunan expressed belief that justice should be applied equally, regardless of race, affiliation, or status.

She argued that the slow pace of accountability in the Philippines has normalized corruption and weakened the culture of responsibility, affecting Filipinos both at home and abroad.

Kapunan urged Filipino American professionals to prioritize ethical conduct alongside academic and professional achievements, noting that credentials should be matched by strong moral standards.

"No judgment, but the recent events in our country mirror this sad event. The slow process of holding people accountable, in effect, glorifies abhorrent and widespread plunder, along with the rapid and continuing decline of our culture of accountability and conscience. This affects the mindset of many Filipinos, whether they are at home or abroad. We emigrated to the US not just to benefit from the opportunities here, but also to contribute to building a stronger community and help sustain it for future generations of Filipino Americans," Kapunan told GMA News. — VDV, GMA News