Lankford, Inhofe Move to Protect Medicaid Funds for Those Truly in Need

WASHINGTON, DC – Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Mike Braun (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Kennedy (R-LA), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act. This bill helps ensure that Medicaid dollars are preserved for those in need and taxpayer dollars are wisely stewarded by requiring states to apply asset verification services (AVS) to the entire population of Medicaid applicants. In its current state, AVS only applies to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) population. This bill would create parity between the ABD and non-ABD populations, thereby ensuring that Medicaid dollars are going to those in need by preventing ineligible individuals from receiving Medicaid and promoting fiscal responsibility.

“Oklahomans who are eligible to receive Medicaid assistance should be able to access the program efficiently and effectively,” Lankford said. “Those who are ineligible shouldn’t be able to take Medicaid benefits and resources away from those truly in need. We should do everything we can to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of our federal safety net programs for those in poverty, disabled individuals, and others who qualify, so they remain available to help families in need.”

“If you look at the numbers, it is clear that fraud is rampant within Medicaid, and billions of dollars are wasted every year as a result,” Inhofe said. “Those who truly need Medicaid, should be able to get Medicaid, and our taxpayer dollars should be preserved to that end. For that to happen, we must ensure that individuals trying to game the system are discovered in the first place. That’s why I am glad to introduce the Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act—a bill that will go a long way in ensuring those who need Medicaid, get Medicaid by rooting out misuse of taxpayer dollars within the system and promoting fiscal integrity.”

“The Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act is a commonsense solution that ensures Medicaid fraud is not committed at the expense of those in need,” Braun said. “I am proud to join Senator Inhofe on this legislation that will save taxpayer dollars by preventing improper payments and waste.”

“The Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act would safeguard tax dollars by helping ensure Medicaid assistance goes to those who actually need it, and I’m proud to partner with Sen. Inhofe to protect Medicaid recipients,” Kennedy said.

“The Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act will bring basic fairness to the Medicaid system, while preserving precious resources for those who are actually in need of assistance,” Paul said. “It will also bring much-needed accountability to a government program that too often disburses taxpayer funds to those who are ineligible.”

“We need to do everything possible to ensure that states utilize the tools needed to combat fraud, waste and abuse of Medicaid benefits.” said Rick Scott. “The Protecting Medicaid Beneficiaries Act will help stop this fraud by preventing individuals who are ineligible for Medicaid from receiving benefits and make sure that every Medicaid dollar is spent with care and is only directed toward those in need. I’m proud to join Senator Inhofe and our colleagues to introduce this important bill that is a win for American taxpayers and the beneficiaries that rely on this essential program.”

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