Senate passes Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures Act.
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Jamie Barrand | Jan 2, 2016

Senate passes Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures Act

A measure to increase transparency and integrity within the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs was passed earlier this week by the U.S. Senate.

Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) introduced the Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME) Act -- which also has the support of 17 bipartisan co-sponsors -- as a preemptive strike against fraudulent use of these medical assistance programs.

The act also provides for better information sharing and communication between Medicare and Medicaid officials.

“Medicare and Medicaid provide access to quality health care to seniors, children and families across the country every day,” Carper said. “But each year, millions of dollars that should be going to our most vulnerable Americans are lost to waste and fraud."

Enzi agreed.

“This bill does not affect coverage or benefits, but does make practical changes to the system,” he said. “We’ve used Government Accountability Office, HHS Inspector General and other expert findings and recommendations to build in better efficiencies.”

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