Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Calls on House to Pass Tough Medicaid Provider Fraud Bill
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today called on the Missouri House of Representatives to pass a tough Medicaid Provider Fraud Bill before the end of the legislative session this Friday.
“We have brought the issue of fraud in our social welfare system to the forefront of reform efforts,” Blunt said. “While other administrations looked away we have referred numerous fraud provider cases to the attorney general and have saved taxpayers millions through these efforts and by cracking down on fraudulent users. It is essential that we continue this good work to ensure that those truly in need benefit from this generous taxpayer funded assistance.”
Recently, Blunt called on the Senate to pass Senate Bill 1210, sponsored by Sen. Chris Koster. Key provisions of that bill including one that could secure millions of dollars in federal incentive assistance were removed by the House Special Committee on Healthcare Facilities. Blunt wants House members to reconsider Senate Bill 1210 and to send it to his desk with tough provisions to combat Medicaid providers who cheat taxpayers.
To combat fraud in Missouri’s social welfare programs Blunt directed the Department of Social Services to conduct eligibility checks before adding new people to the rolls and to annually verify that those receiving benefits are truly eligible. These changes coupled with other actions enabled Blunt’s administration to recognize more than $138 million in savings for Missouri taxpayers.
Blunt’s administration led the effort last year to end a contract with a non-emergency medical services provider that was costing taxpayers more than $40 million per year, due in part to a poorly written contract by the previous administration. Blunt’s administration entered into an agreement with better provisions for Missouri taxpayers with a new provider saving the state nearly $15 million annually.
Blunt is also actively supporting legislative efforts to rewrite Missouri’s social welfare programs and is a strong advocate of using technology to help improve the delivery of healthcare services. He was successful in securing $25 million in next year’s budget to create the first ever Healthcare Technology Trust fund.
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