Bill Summary
This bill, known as the "Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act," aims to amend a section of the Social Security Act related to Medicaid fraud and abuse control units. The amendment clarifies that these units have the authority to investigate and prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting, not just in board and care facilities. Additionally, the bill removes a limitation on funding for these units, allowing for necessary resources to combat fraud in the provision and administration of Medicaid services.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect people 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 lead to increased oversight and accountability for providers and caregivers, potentially protecting vulnerable patients from harm.
2. The availability of funding for the elimination of fraud in the provision and administration of medical assistance provided under the State plan could potentially impact people receiving Medicaid benefits. If funds are diverted to combat fraud, there may be less resources available for actual medical care, potentially causing delays or reduced access to necessary treatments for patients.
3. The amendment to include patients receiving medical assistance in noninstitutional or other settings could potentially affect individuals who receive home healthcare or other forms of non-institutional care. They may now be subject to investigation and prosecution for cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in these settings, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and accountability for caregivers.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2379 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2379
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2019
Mr. Crapo (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Hassan, and Mr.
Roberts) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
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)''.
<all>