Today I met with local senior citizens from Heritage Woods, an Illinois Supportive Living program facility in Chicago, and AARP's Illinois Associate State Director for Advocacy and Outreach, Carmenza Millan, to discuss Medicare fraud and new legislation which will combat waste, fraud and abuse within the Medicare system. With their social security number prominently displayed on the front of their Medicare cards, Illinois seniors are at a high risk of becoming a victim of identity fraud. I want our seniors to have the same level of identification security as our servicemen and women.

The Medicare Common Access Card Act of 2014 (S. 2586), which I introduced in July of this year, would reform the current Medicare card design utilizing smart technology to protect seniors' personal information and prevent continued abuse of the system.

Based on the cards that the Department of Defense issues to men and women in uniform, S. 2586 would utilize the same type of chip technology in Medicare cards that would store seniors' personal information electronically. This would keep personal security information safe and would allow for seniors to visit their doctor and ensure that billing is accurate following appointments.

It is estimated that Medicare fraud currently costs American taxpayers upwards of $60 million per year. The increased security provided by these cards could significantly reduce waste and save taxpayers millions of dollars.