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Lloyd Smucker Backs Federal Crackdown on Medicaid Fraud Following Pennsylvania Arrests

Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., supported a broader federal crackdown on Medicaid fraud following the arrest of 19 individuals in Pennsylvania. The Department of Justice's anti-fraud task force identified several egregious cases where suspects billed for services while in prison, on vacation, or even while being pulled over by police. Smucker noted that the fraud diverts essential funds from disabled recipients who rely on the program for daily assistance. To address these issues, the administration implemented a temporary moratorium on the enrollment of new home care and hospice companies into Medicare. Pennsylvania has also adopted a six-month moratorium on new hospice companies in Medicaid to protect taxpayer dollars. While electronic visit verification systems were designed to help, federal officials noted that these systems can be bypassed by caregivers who simply tap a button on a smartphone app without actually being present. The administration continues to work with state officials to root out waste and abuse in the healthcare system.

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