LEVIN, STARK PRAISE $4 BILLION IN FUNDS RECOVERED FROM ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS
January 24, 2011
WASHINGTON- Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander M. Levin (D-MI) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Pete Stark (D-CA), praised the Obama Administration's efforts to crack down on fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Their efforts in the past year have recouped $4 billion in taxpayer dollars- the highest amount ever.
"Every dollar stolen from Medicare weakens this critical program," said Ranking Member Levin. That's why this effort is so vital. Ridding the system of fraud and abuse so that the program remains strong for seniors and people with disabilities is a key priority of the new health care reform law. We must not allow that effort to be reversed by repeal."
"The Obama Administration is making Medicare work better for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and taxpayers," said Ranking Member Stark. "Today's announcement underscores the dangers of repealing health reform. Republicans would cost taxpayers billions each year by repealing new tools that help crack down on fraud in Medicare and Medicaid."
Health reform provides significant new tools to help the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) combat fraud, waste, and abuse. By repealing health reform, Republicans would:
- Eliminate new provider screening and enrollment requirements that stop fraudsters before they've stolen a dime.
- Prohibit HHS from imposing a moratorium that would halt new providers from joining Medicare in areas of significant risk of fraud.
- Weaken penalties for corporations that defraud Medicare and Medicaid and for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans that mislead customers -- increasing the likelihood that these schemes continue.
For information on how the health reform law helps crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse, please visit: https://go.usa.gov/YCu
# # #