Attack on Medicare Fraud Reaps Record Results!

[nhboy (Premo)]

Link to original article.

"We’re about to shoot down two Republican myths with a single post. First, the Obama Administration cut Medicare costs by attacking Medicare Fraud instead of attacking benefits. Second, Government can do things, and do them well.

For years, the Republican Party claimed that benefits are the problem. They tried to sell us several versions of coupon care and privatization while claiming that eliminating Medicare was the best way to protect it for future generations.

The Justice Department and Department of Human Services found a way to reduce Medicare costs without reducing benefits, without coupons and without privatizing it. Instead of attacking seniors access to healthcare, they attacked Medicare fraud, otherwise known as the means by which Florida’s Governor, Rick Scott became “a maker” in GOP speak.

According to a report on The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act Team’s (HEAT) performance released Monday, for the second year in a row, Obama’s plan to attack Medicare Fraud reaped recording breaking results.

The Feds recovered $4.2 billion of taxpayers’ money last year from legal proceedings, settlements and penalties. In 2011, joint efforts to attack Medicare fraud resulted in a record of $4.1 billion dollars. That is compared to the $2.86 billion recovered in 2010 before Obama’s policies to attack Medicare Fraud existed."

.....

"When the President told us that Obamacare reduces Medicare costs without touching benefits, he was honest. Thanks to Obamacare, Medicare fraudsters will receive 20 to 50 percent longer sentences for crimes involving more than $1million dollars in lost taxpayer money.

It also makes it more difficult for Medicare fraudsters to transfer their scams to another state or between Medicare and Medicaid. Under Obamacare, if Medicare, Medicaid or a State terminates a scammer’s billing privileges, all other states must terminate their billing privileges.

Once again, the Republican Party is on the wrong side of policy. Not only does their policy seek to deny Americans access to healthcare, it also makes the Republican Party soft on crime, namely Medicare Fraud.

If they really want to get rid of their image as the Party of Stupid, defending criminals over seniors isn’t the way to go. Just sayin’.

Ironically, the HEAT report also shows once again that the Republican Party’s fiscal responsibility begins and ends with its rhetoric."

[aps45819]

Does it hurt to be that stupid?

[frogman123]

I have never understood why middle class Republicans seem to feel "rich". 99% of people that live in somd would be screwed if they lost their jobs and rely on the government 'entitlements'. So, Republicans, don't act all high and mighty and against the things that keep those less fortunate out of the gutter.

[migtig]

Originally Posted by frogman123

I have never understood why middle class Republicans seem to feel "rich". 99% of people that live in somd would be screwed if they lost their jobs and rely on the government 'entitlements'. So, Republicans, don't act all high and mighty and against the things that keep those less fortunate out of the gutter.

I'm not a Republican. And I've volunteered with seniors. And I know there is medicare fraud out the whazoo. But perhaps not in the sense you are thinking.

Need a walker? Nope we'll get you a fully motorized scooter at no cost to you.

Have arthritis? Well we'll just run this test, that test and another test and maybe get you to have some surgery and oh yea, physical therapy and while we are at it we'll run a few more tests, all at no cost to you.

Heck yea, if I was hearing it was free, I'd get all this stuff. The thing is, it is not free. It costs the taxpayers. And honestly, the majority of our seniors alive right now have not paid into Medicare anywhere near what I've paid in. And considering women outlive men and that many (not all) senior women were "housewives", the money is truly being stolen from those of us working right now. And honestly, it will not be there when I am a senior.

Fraud is rampant, and honestly it's not the people on Medicare's fault as much as it is the doctors, medical supply businesses and big pharma.

And if I was to lose my job, as well as others in SoMD, there will be less taxes collected, less money for Medicare collected and you are right, there would be a further drain on the support system. If it is a nation wide effect of additional people losing their jobs, then this additional drain and lack of revenue could very easily collapse the country right now. Our finances right now in this country are worse than they were during the great depression. Can you imagine truly how horrible it would be if it got worse? Which will happen with sequestration...

And with that being said, I hope you will rethink this a little bit and not be so quick to attack SOMDers or Republicans. You are being part of the problem, not the solution, when you place blame on working Americans, regardless of what political party they are registered with.

[laynpipe]

Happens all the time. I know a family that were uber right wing. Anti-government, anti-entitlement of any kind.....you name it, the real Ron Paul types. They hated our government. Until their teenage daughter got knocked up. Then they ate crow and took her to the courthouse for wick, welfare and food stamps. Hypocracy at its lowest point. And their friends remind them of that alllllllll the time.

[bcp (Premo)]

now if only they could deal with border fraud and voter fraud,,

oh wait, then there is no way they can win elections...

hmmmm.....

[migtig]

Originally Posted by laynpipe

Happens all the time. I know a family that were uber right wing. Anti-government, anti-entitlement of any kind.....you name it, the real Ron Paul types. They hated our government. Until their teenage daughter got knocked up. Then they ate crow and took her to the courthouse for wick, welfare and food stamps. Hypocracy at its lowest point. And their friends remind them of that alllllllll the time.

I don't understand. You like to laugh at the misfortune of others and think it's great? Or that a pregnant teenager who needs help is funny? Or you think Ron Paul is a typical Republican? Or that you are morally superior? Or is it all of the above?

[Pete]

Perhaps medicare reform would have been a great starting point.

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by migtig

I don't understand. You like to laugh at the misfortune of others and think it's great? Or that a pregnant teenager who needs help is funny? Or you think Ron Paul is a typical Republican? Or that you are morally superior? Or is it all of the above?

who was he laughing at?

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by frogman123

I have never understood why middle class Republicans seem to feel "rich". 99% of people that live in somd would be screwed if they lost their jobs and rely on the government 'entitlements'. So, Republicans, don't act all high and mighty and against the things that keep those less fortunate out of the gutter.

I have never understood why liberals want to give all this money to people that dont and wont work, but they want to give other peoples money instead of their own.
wouldnt charities be a better way to handle it than stealing from others?