House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) asks the American public to speak out about how they really feel about the health care bill that Democrats want to pass. (0:23)
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) says Democrats refuse to listen to the American people when it comes to health care, and says their party will do anything to get reform passed. (0:18)
The Congressional Health Care Caucus (CHC) highlighted the consequences of Medicare fraud Tuesday and called on their colleagues to take actions that could possibly save billions of dollars for the social insurance program.
“[Medicare fraud] is very serious problem and one that requires serious attention … to reclaim the scarce health care dollars that people are otherwise diverting from the system,” said Rep. Michael Burgress (R-Texas) during a news conference Tuesday. (0:10)
Jim Frogue, Vice President for the Center for Health Transformation, says that even lawyers joke that if criminals steal less then $500,000 from Medicare they probably won’t get caught. (0:13)
Jim Frogue, Vice President for the Center for Health Transformation, says some of the programs designed to reduce Medicare fraud have been unsuccessful because administrators are not allowed to view essential documents that relate directly to the cause. (0:35)
By Laurel Brishel Prichard University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service
The Congressional Health Care Caucus (CHC) highlighted the consequences of Medicare fraud Tuesday and called on their colleagues to take actions that could possibly save billions of dollars for the social insurance program.
“[Medicare fraud] is very serious problem and one that requires serious attention … to reclaim the scarce health care dollars that people are otherwise diverting from the system,” said Rep. Michael Burgress (R-Texas) during a news conference.
Jim Frogue, the Vice President for Center for Health Transformation, proposed fighting fraud through an identity check system, similar to the process that is used with credit card purchases. Such a measure would require individuals who are receiving Medicare-Medicaid benefits to have proper identification.
“People can get away with [fraud] for months and years and never get caught,” said Frogue, who appeared alongside the CHC. “The mandate of Medicare-Medicaid is to pay the bills and ask questions later.”
According to Frogue, anti-fraud measures already in place are inadequate. The Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCU) only focus on high profile cases, Frogue says, and essentially overlooks the smaller cases.
“I don’t know why I’m not retired in the Caribbean. Its so easy to steal this money and just move on,” joked Frogue.
By Laurel Brishel Prichard University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said Tuesday that statements made by former Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) claiming that he was forced out of office in order to pass health care reform legislation were “absolutely untrue.”
“[It is] absolutely untrue … that there was any relationship between actions and the health care bill. Period,” Hoyer said during his weekly pen and pad session with reporters.
Massa, who resigned amid allegations that he had made inappropriate, sexual remarks to a staffer, has accused Hoyer of falsely stating that the Majority Leader had contacted Massa prior to the revelation of the scandal.
Hoyer denied making the claim, and instead stressed that each Congressman’s staffs were in contact.
“I never talked to Mr. Massa,” said Hoyer. “My staff talked to his staff.”
Hoyer’s staff reportedly urged Massa’s staff to go to the Ethics Committee within 48 hours or Hoyer’s office would take action themselves.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says that the costs of health care coverage are putting families in impossible situations. (0:18)
Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters Monday that shifts in Americans health insurance coverage, including massive premium hikes, highlight the need for health care reform. (0:20)
During a conference call with reporters on Friday, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) says Republicans have no intention of passing any health care bill, and that the House and Senate should move forward without them. (0:11)
