Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act", seeks to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act in order to clarify the authority of State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units. These units will now have the power to investigate and prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting, not just in board and care facilities. Additionally, the availability of funding for these units will no longer be limited to just the elimination of fraud, but can now also be used for the investigation and prevention of patient abuse and neglect.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect individuals who rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs by clarifying the authority of State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units to investigate and prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting. This could potentially lead to increased protection and safety for Medicaid patients in various settings, such as non-institutional or other settings.
2. The legislation may also impact healthcare providers who receive funding from Medicaid by removing the language that limits funding for the elimination of fraud in the provision and administration of medical assistance. This could potentially free up more resources for healthcare providers to improve and maintain the quality of care for Medicaid patients.
3. In cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect, this legislation could provide a clearer framework for investigating and prosecuting these cases, potentially leading to more timely and effective interventions to protect vulnerable individuals and hold perpetrators accountable. This could have a significant impact on the well-being of individuals who may be at risk of abuse or neglect in various settings.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 233 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 233
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority
of State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units to investigate and
prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting,
and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2019
Mr. Walberg (for himself and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
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A BILL
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority
of State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units to investigate and
prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention
Act''.
SEC. 2. CLARIFYING AUTHORITY OF STATE MEDICAID FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL
UNITS TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE CASES OF MEDICAID
PATIENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN ANY SETTING.
(a) In General.--Section 1903(q)(4)(A)(ii) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(q)(4)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting after
``patients residing in board and care facilities'' the following: ``and
of patients (who are receiving medical assistance under the State plan
under this title) in a noninstitutional or other setting''.
(b) Availability of Funding.--Section 1903(a)(6) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(6)) is amended, in the matter
following subparagraph (B), by striking ``(as found necessary by the
Secretary for the elimination of fraud in the provision and
administration of medical assistance provided under the State plan)''.
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