Nation's Leading Seniors, Veterans, Advocacy Groups Applaud Senate Finance Committee for Calling Attention to Medicare Fraud & Abuse

Fight Fraud First! Coalition Asks Congress to Make Fighting Medicare Fraud a Top Priority

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fight Fraud First! – a coalition of national organizations representing millions of older Americans, persons with disabilities, military veterans, minorities, family caregivers and patients – today praised the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance for examining fraud and abuse in the Medicare program to better address how the country can prevent fraud and protect America's Medicare beneficiaries.

With estimates projecting that up to ten percent of Medicare and Medicaid funding is lost to improper payments, fraud and abuse each year, the Fight Fraud First! coalition came together with the collective belief that eliminating Medicare fraud and abuse should be a top national priority. The coalition urges lawmakers to support policy solutions that target fraud and abuse through program integrity reforms that can save money and ensure beneficiary access to quality health care services. 

"Strengthening the Medicare program to stop fraud before it takes place is the solution we can all support because it protects older Americans and saves valuable Medicare funding at the same time.  It's a win – win for everyone," said Retired Marine Lieutenant General Jack Klimp, President and CEO of the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS).  "We urge lawmakers to support policy solutions to ensure that Medicare dollars are used to care for our nation's elderly and disabled, as intended."

As Congress continues to look for ways to improve America's healthcare delivery system and reduce healthcare costs, Fight Fraud First! is respectfully urging lawmakers to consider program integrity improvements and other measures that can generate savings, preserve beneficiary access, and strengthen the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

"We thank the Senate Committee on Finance for recognizing the importance of addressing – and solving – this national problem on behalf of the 47 million Americans who depend on the Medicare program," stated Chairman Billy Tauzin, senior counsel for the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare. "Solutions are on the table that have proven successful in reducing fraud and abuse by stopping criminals from entering the program in the first place. Now is the time to fully advance these solutions for the benefit of seniors, honest providers and taxpayers."

Fight Fraud First! is a collaborative effort on behalf of seniors, persons with disabilities, military veterans, and family members to advocate for the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid. We believe that the smartest and easiest place to start is taking on bad actors within these programs. To learn more, visit act.americansagainstfraud.org.

SOURCE Fight Fraud First!