REPUBLICANS WOULD GUT EFFORTS TO FIGHT MEDICARE FRAUD Print
Friday, 01 October 2010 01:47

NEWS – CONGRESSMAN PETE STARK
239 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5065
www.stark.house.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 1, 2010
Contact: Brian Cook, (202) 225-3202

Pledge Against America's Health:
REPUBLICANS WOULD GUT EFFORTS TO FIGHT MEDICARE FRAUD

WASHINGTON – The House Republican pledge unveiled last week would turn back the clock on health care progress.  Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today criticized the Republican plan for cutting efforts to fight fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

"The health reform law beefs up enforcement of anti-fraud efforts in Medicare and Medicaid, protecting taxpayers and beneficiaries," said Chairman Stark. "The Republican pledge would repeal the new tools and investments that are projected to save taxpayers $2.1 billion in recouped Medicare payments."

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, the Republican pledge 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 more information on what the health reform law does to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid, please click here: http://go.usa.gov/xeE

For additional information on how the Republican pledge is detrimental to America's health:
Increase the uninsured by 29 million: http://go.usa.gov/xMU
Kick people out of new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans: http://go.usa.gov/x60
Eliminate the small business tax credit: http://go.usa.gov/xsj
Re-open the Medicare Part D donut hole: http://go.usa.gov/xGe
Repeal investment in health IT: http://go.usa.gov/xGF

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