Bipartisan proposal aims to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud

A new bipartisan proposal aims to tackle fraud in the Medicaid and Medicare programs by checking death records from the Social Security Administration. This effort is part of the Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act. The legislation requires states to verify if doctors listed in these programs are still alive, reducing the chances of fraud. Representatives Gabe Evans, a Republican from Colorado, and Scott Peters, a Democrat from California, are leading this initiative. They stressed the importance of protecting these essential programs for vulnerable Americans. Evans stated that it is crucial to act against fraud to ensure quality healthcare access for those who truly need it. This proposal follows a previous version introduced last year, which passed the House but did not move forward in the Senate. Peters highlighted that fraud in these health programs impacts both beneficiaries and taxpayers and emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility to prevent misuse of government funds. The introduction of this legislation comes amid growing scrutiny of health spending at both state and national levels. For instance, in Colorado, $7.3 million was paid to care for deceased Medicaid recipients. In California, costs for the Medi-Cal program have soared, exceeding initial budget estimates. Recent reports indicate that improper payments in Medicare and Medicaid reached $54.3 billion and $31.1 billion, respectively, in fiscal year 2024. As discussions around healthcare spending continue, this proposal signals a push to strengthen oversight and reduce fraud in these critical programs.