Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) and Rep. Bill Keating (MA-09) re-introduced the Fighting Medicare Fraud Act of 2018 to combat fraud and abuse in the Medicare program, which costs taxpayers billions every year and jeopardizes the health and well-being of seniors and those with disabilities.

“Medicare is health care for our seniors. Because of our large retirement population, Florida is ground zero for fraud and exploitation,” said Frankel. “This legislation provides a vehicle to go after bad actors who are scamming the system for financial gains.”

“After a lifetime of working, the last thing our seniors need is to worry about being defrauded,” said Congressman Bill Keating, who represents the largest Medicare population in Massachusetts. “Our bill protects beneficiaries by forcing offenders out of the Medicare system while improving transparency along the way, saving billions of dollars in fraud losses per year. This legislation is a common-sense solution to an increasing problem.”

Medicare allows over 55 million seniors and disabled individuals to access healthcare. Fraud, waste, and abuse of the program are estimated to cost taxpayers between $60 and $90 billion each year.

This legislation would:

• Close a loophole that corrupt CEOs and corporations have used to continue abusing Medicare. Currently, if a company is under investigation for Medicare fraud and the CEO resigns before receiving a penalty, he or she may legally start a new company and potentially launch a new Medicare fraud scheme.
• Require Medicare Advantage and Part D organizations to report incidents of potential abuse and fraud.

The bill is endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

###