Sen. Cornyn: Medicare Fraud Forum Highlights Need for Congressional Action to Address Waste, Fraud & Abuse
Press Release
Sen. Cornyn: Medicare Fraud Forum Highlights Need for Congressional Action to Address Waste, Fraud & Abuse
Co-chairs forum to examine Medicare fraud and abuse, shed light on necessary steps to end practice
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, co-chaired a forum today along with Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., to examine efforts Congress should take to target and eliminate Medicare fraud. According to a recent report released by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee, Medicare paid up to $92 million in claims linked to deceased physicians from 2000 to 2007. Sen. Cornyn said it is only the latest evidence that Congress must do more to address Medicare fraud and abuse.
"Today's forum was an opportunity to shed light on the true costs of Medicare fraud and the root causes that we must address. I appreciated the chance to discuss this problem with leading experts who made clear that inaction is allowing rampant waste, fraud and abuse. Overall Medicare fraud is estimated to be at $60 billion, which is 20 percent of all Medicare spending. As a result, millions of taxpayer dollars are going down the drain. The Medicare program is critical to our nation's seniors and must be one that is run efficiently and effectively.
"Last month, Sen. Martinez and I joined together in offering The Seniors and Taxpayers Obligation Protection Act, or STOP Act, to protect honest taxpayers, seniors, and providers, by strengthening the Medicare program itself. I hope that the Democratic leadership in Congress will give this issue, and this legislation, the attention it deserves. Our bill represents a first step in fighting Medicare fraud, and will put us on the right track to saving taxpayer money and protecting our seniors.
"I hope that everyone will notice the urgency of this issue and make it a top priority. Our seniors, our providers and our taxpayers deserve better accountability from Medicare."
Source