Dupage Policy Journal

The U.S. House Ways and Means Health Committee passed a Medicare package  on Thursday that includes a fraud prevention act created by Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL) and John Carney (D-DE).

Following the markup and passage of the package, which includes the Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME) Act of 2015, Roskam said it is vital the nation combat Medicare fraud, which has cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

"These commonsense reforms are necessary to ensure Medicare dollars can go to providing important health services, not lining the pockets of crooks," Roskam said. "Congressman Carney has been a tremendous partner in the effort to develop these thoughtful reforms, and I want to thank him for his leadership on this issue and commitment to making government work better for the American people."

Carney also lauded the Ways and Means Committee for including the PRIME Act, which he said will help ensure the nation's most vulnerable are protected.

"The PRIME Act will strengthen Medicare and protect seniors by ensuring that resources go to those who need them, not criminals looking to take advantage of the system," Carney added.

The act phases out the pay-and-chase system, and requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enhance the Medicare-Medicaid or Medi-Medi program, linking contract payments to accuracy goals and building on the Senior Medicare Patrol program.