Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act (H.R. 233), bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Peter Welch (D-VT). The Walberg-authored legislation was incorporated into H.R. 3253, which includes a series of legislative proposals to strengthen the Medicaid program to better serve those in need.
“Medicaid Fraud Control Units play a vital role in cracking down on fraudulent actors who try to take advantage of Medicaid beneficiaries and hardworking taxpayers,” said Congressman Walberg. “Our bipartisan bill removes federal barriers so state attorneys general are empowered to root out fraud and protect vulnerable patients—no matter where the abuse occurs. I am pleased to see such strong bipartisan support today in the House for these commonsense reforms.”
About H.R. 233, the Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act:
The Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act broadens the authority of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) to identify, investigate, and prosecute possible patient abuse or neglect in non-institutional settings like home health care. Under current law, MFCUs, which operate in 49 States and the District of Columbia, are only authorized to investigate abuse at health care facilities receiving Medicaid payments.
Source: House Passes Walberg Bill to Protect Patients, Combat Medicaid Fraud / WLEN FM Radio