This incredibly important topic has rightfully been the focus of much of our hearings during the past two years.

Indeed, we have held eight hearings on frauds and other scams targeting our seniors.

Chairman Nelson, before we get started, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the extraordinary leadership you have provided this Committee these past 2 years.

It is fitting that the last hearing you and I will lead as Chair and Ranking Member examines once again the problem of scams targeting America's seniors, and how to stop them.

Our achievements as a Committee trace directly to the bipartisan tone you set, and the spirit of comity and cooperation that have prevailed as a result.

I believe, along with Senator Kaine, that stretching the AUMF from 2001 or 2002 to cover this situation renders the constitutional clause a nullity.

Those are terrible cases, because not only is there unnecessary suffering, but there is greater expense to the system in the long run.

A very logical assumption to make.

What we really need to do with the Medicare program to reduce improper payments, whether it is fraud or mistakes, is to have better controls up front and more collaboration with stakeholders up front rather than doing the pay-and-chase…

I appreciate you calling this hearing to highlight the increasing use of hospital observation stays and the financial implications for Medicare patients and their families.

I want to start my questioning with Dr. Sheehy and Ms. Borgstrom.

Thank you very much for your testimony.

It is clear that they are producing unintended consequences because of the way the incentive structure is set up.

I just cannot imagine anyone who is ill and has been put into a hospital bed making a distinction or even realizing there is a distinction between being in inpatient status or in observation status.

to expect a beneficiary to understand whether or not they have been in a hospital bed as an inpatient versus in observation status is just absurd.

Clearly, we are talking a lot right now as we finish up this particular week in the Congress about transportation funding.

I think the best argument to be made there is it puts more people on the road during the daylight hours.

Certainly, we want to look at the testimony today.