A House oversight committee is asking for a federal investigation of the largest U.S. hospital chain and its admissions practices amid allegations of widespread fraud.

Driving the news: Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), chair of the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee, this week asked the HHS to look into HCA Healthcare’s emergency department admissions.

Details: Several large unions last year alleged that HCA was admitting patients who didn’t necessarily need emergency care. There are also allegations the company has "corporate admission targets" and has threatened retaliation against staff who don't meet them.

The big picture: HCA owns more than 180 hospitals and is the largest for-profit health care chain in the U.S. In 2021, the chain turned a profit of almost $7 billion.

The other side: HCA spokesperson Harlow Sumerford, said in a statement that the company was reviewing Pascrell’s letter and will respond to his requests for information.

Flashback: In 2003, HCA had to pay $631 million to the U.S. over allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare and other federal health care programs in what at the time was the biggest health care fraud case ever settled.

Of note: A 2021 study found that those over age 65 were more likely to be admitted to the emergency rooms of for-profit hospitals than nonprofit facilities.