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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted in favor of a bill that would mandate the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to have working verification systems in place to validate eligibility of applicants who are applying for the health care exchange subsidies. Latta cosponsored H.R. 2775, the No Subsidies Without Verification Act, which passed the House today.

“In spite of missed deadlines and numerous delays, officials from the administration testified to Congress that implementation of Obamacare remained on schedule; yet, this summer the administration quietly offered exemptions and waivers for sections of the law, including a waiver for the verification of eligibility for insurance subsidies,” said Congressman Latta.

On July 5^th, HHS released a final rule with more than 600 pages that rescinds requirements for the new state online health insurance marketplaces to verify the income and health coverage status of people who apply for the subsidized coverage, and instead will now rely on the “honor system.”

“Similar to how the law was drafted – out of sight from the American people, the administration is making tweaks to the law, and providing exemptions and waivers, behind closed doors. This bill brings accountability to the federal government and provides a solution that will protect hardworking taxpayers from government waste and fraud,” Latta concluded.

The Senate has passed a similar measure through the Senate Appropriations Committee by unanimous consent.

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