On the recordSeptember 17, 2013
When unlicensed and unaccredited providers are allowed to deliver prosthetic and orthotic services through Medicare, both Medicare beneficiaries and the American taxpayers are shortchanged. Unfortunately, the orthotics and prosthetics market currently is prone to fraud and abuse, where substandard products and services are being furnished to Medicare beneficiaries and other patients. Despite congressional mandates, not enough has been done to ensure that legitimate practitioners are providing these items and services. Moments ago, I, along with my colleague Mike Thompson of California, introduced the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2013. This commonsense piece of legislation will protect Medicare beneficiaries by identifying and addressing fraudulent payments, and it will hold government accountable by reducing fraud and abuse within Medicare. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in this bipartisan effort by cosponsoring H.R. 3112, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2013. ____________________
