Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations finds himself at the center of a brewing storm over ties to a fraudulent health care operation.
Abukar Dahir Osman, the Permanent Representative of Somalia to the UN and current President of the Security Council, has been linked to Progressive Health Care Services, a Cincinnati-based home health agency previously convicted of Medicaid fraud, the New York Post reported.
HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill confirmed the connection publicly on X, pointing to prior departmental action against the company. Public records show Osman as the “President & CEO” when Progressive Health Care Services was established in 2009. His LinkedIn profile, according to a screenshot shared by the Libs of TikTok account, also lists him as “Managing Director” from 2014 to May 2019, a period that overlaps with his diplomatic role in New York.
This dual hat-wearing sparks questions about how a high-ranking diplomat could manage a health care business while representing his nation on the world stage. The timing alone suggests a troubling lack of focus on either duty, or worse, a potential conflict of interest.
HHS has not yet released specifics on the nature of the Medicaid fraud or the penalties imposed on Progressive Health Care Services. O’Neill’s statement on X, however, carries weight: “HHS has previously taken action against Progressive in response to a conviction for Medicaid fraud.”
That line lands hard, especially when taxpayer dollars are already under siege from similar schemes elsewhere. If proven, Osman’s involvement paints a picture of negligence at best, and complicity at worst, in a system meant to aid the vulnerable.
Last week, Osman’s ties to the Ohio company exploded across social media, amplified by accounts like Libs of TikTok. Their post also alleged that Progressive shared an office suite with other businesses, many tied to Somali names, though hard evidence for deeper connections remains elusive.
The timing couldn’t be worse, as Minnesota’s Somali community faces intense scrutiny over separate fraud scandals involving taxpayer funds for the homeless and child care. Osman’s link to a convicted entity only adds fuel to a narrative of systemic abuse of public trust.
A private citizen, mistakenly tied to Progressive’s listed phone number, vented frustration to The Post about relentless calls. “You’re like the hundredth person to call looking for Progressive Health Care Services,” he said, clearly exasperated by the mix-up.
Meanwhile, O’Neill has taken broader action, pausing all child care payments to Minnesota last week due to rampant day care fraud in the state. Shortly after, HHS froze child care funding nationwide pending a full investigation.
These moves signal a no-nonsense approach to cleaning up corruption in public programs. They also frame Osman’s situation as part of a larger battle against those who exploit the system for personal gain.
Osman himself has stayed silent, offering no response to The Post’s request for comment. His absence of explanation leaves a void that speculation and skepticism are quick to fill.
The ambassador’s diplomatic role as Security Council President demands integrity and transparency, qualities now under a harsh spotlight. If his past with Progressive Health Care Services reveals active involvement in fraud, the damage to Somalia’s international standing could be severe.
Even without direct proof of wrongdoing, the optics of a UN envoy tied to a convicted company erode public faith in both diplomacy and domestic aid programs. Taxpayers, already weary of bloated bureaucracies, deserve clarity on how such overlaps went unchecked for years.
For now, the story unfolds with more questions than answers, as HHS digs deeper into fraud across states. Osman’s next move, or lack thereof, will likely shape whether this remains a footnote or a full-blown scandal in the ongoing fight for accountability.