government
Medicare fraud bill submitted again in House
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 26, 2013
House lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would expand federal authority to ban criminals from enrolling in Medicare to bill for services.
The Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act of 2013 would give the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General the power to exclude individuals or businesses with a history of being sanctioned for fraud. A previous version of the bill had passed by voice vote in the House in 2010, but the Senate did not adopt the measure.
“As we continue to find ways to reduce fraud, waste and abuse within the Medicare program, this legislation takes a common-sense approach by giving the inspector general another tool to root out fraudsters,” Reps. Kevin Brady (R, Texas) and Jim McDermott, MD (D, Wash.), leaders of the House Ways and Means health subcommittee, said in a statement. “Individuals and companies who are involved with Medicare fraud on any level must be held accountable.”
