Cortez Masto Targets Medicare & Medicaid Fraud to Save Tax Dollars
TL/DR –
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto has introduced legislation to invest in and improve the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program (HCFAC), which battles fraud in federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation aims to strengthen the program to effectively target fraud and abuse without removing millions of Americans from their healthcare. Additionally, the proposed law would increase mandatory HCFAC funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, while also permitting HCFAC funding to oversee all CMS programs, including the Affordable Care Act Insurance Marketplace and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
U.S. Senator Unveils Proposal to Combat Health Care Fraud
***Video Available*** In a press conference today, Senator Cortez Masto shared her proposal aiming to counteract Senate Republicans’ plan to cut Americans’ Health Care.
Footage from the press conference is available here.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) proposed legislation to enhance the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program (HCFAC). The bill aims to bolster the government’s ability to combat fraud in the health care system, especially within Medicare and Medicaid.
In 2022, HCFAC received a return on investment of $11 for each dollar spent on health care audits and investigations. As a result of these probes, 2,332 individuals and entities were barred from Medicare and Medicaid business due to alleged fraud and abuse.
“Investing in oversight for our government programs is crucial,” stated Senator Cortez Masto. She hopes her bill increasing HCFAC funding will receive bipartisan support, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness and potential to curb Medicare and Medicaid fraud while retaining access to care.
HCFAC is a collaborative endeavor by Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Justice Department (DOJ), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). With more complex health care fraud methods emerging, the program needs extra backing and resources.
The proposed law would augment mandatory HCFAC funding for HHS, CMS, and DOJ. It would also permit HCFAC funding to oversee all CMS programs, including the Affordable Care Act Insurance Marketplace and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
View the full bill text and a summary.
Senator Cortez Masto has consistently worked to reinforce Medicare and Medicaid. Her past successes include passing laws allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, capping insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare recipients, and striving to decrease prescription drug costs.
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