WHAT: In the biggest Medicare arrest sweep yet, federal authorities charged 111 doctors, nurses and physical therapists in nine cities with more than $225 million Medicare fraud. Indictments were issued from Los Angeles to Brooklyn.

WHY IT’S OUTRAGEOUS: Medicare fraud costs taxpayers as much as $90 billion yearly. The program historically paid providers first and investigated suspicious claims later. It now has 1.3 million licensed suppliers nationwide and 18,000 new applications monthly.

WHAT’S BEING DONE: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius promised tougher action on the front end, vigorously screening providers and stopping payment to suspicious ones, using stronger new authority in the Affordable Care Act.