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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted in support of H.R. 3716, the Ensuring Access to Quality Medicaid Providers Act.  The bill was previously heard in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, of which Congressman Latta is a member.

“Medicaid is a vital program that provides health coverage to many low income families and individuals across our country.  That is why it is important that we work to combat fraud and wasteful spending in the program so that it is available for those who need assistance,” said Latta. “This bipartisan legislation would strengthen Medicaid by increasing access for the most vulnerable and blocking bad actors from continuing to perpetuate fraud across state lines.”

H.R. 3716 would require states and Medicaid managed care plans to report to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) identifying information for providers terminated for reasons related to fraud, integrity and quality in Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  The bill would also require CMS to include these providers in its Termination Notification Database within 21 business days.  Additionally, the fraudulent providers would be terminated from participation in Medicaid and CHIP managed care provider networks.  Lastly, in order to help provide vulnerable beneficiaries with better information, the bill would require State Medicaid programs to include an electronic directory of physicians who served Medicaid patients in the prior year on the Medicaid program’s website.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these reforms would save $15 million by eliminating payments to fraudulent providers.