Congressman to Join Secretary of Health & Human Services in Dearborn on Friday

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) has sent the following letter to constituents in the 15th District regarding new efforts to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program as part of the new health care reform law.  This Friday, the Congressman join Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a senior forum at The Fairlane Center in Dearborn at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  The Congressman and the Secretary will meet with local seniors and discuss the new efforts to crack down on Medicare fraud as well as features of the new health care reform law.

Dear Friend,

In the coming months, a number of great new benefits will become available to Americans as a result of the landmark new health reform law, the Affordable Care Act. For example, in June, the first group of seniors who have fallen into the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap will get a $250 check to help them pay for their medications.

This benefit is going to help many seniors in the 15th District. Unfortunately, there are scam artists already using this new benefit as a way to cheat people out of their money. Be very careful of anything that asks for your bank account numbers or any mailings that do not appear official. Only rely on your trusted sources when it comes to accurate information about Medicare. Never give your personal Medicare information to someone who is not a trusted source, and if you find something suspicious call 1-800-MEDICARE with you questions and concerns.

The Affordable Care Act contains an unprecedented set of tough new tools to prevent, detect and take strong enforcement action against fraud in Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well as private insurance.  Some of these measures include:
 

• Tougher rules and sentences for people who commit health care fraud;
• Better screening tools for fraud prevention;
• Requirements for providers and suppliers to establish plans on how they will prevent fraud;
• Additional resources to allow federal officials to fight fraud; and
• Enhanced oversight of private insurance abuses.
•  

Last year alone, anti-fraud efforts returned more than $2.5 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund—a 29 percent increase over 2008 efforts. Because of the waste, fraud and abuse prevention efforts in the Affordable Care Act, Medicare spending will continue to grow, but at a slightly lower rate. This will help extend the life of the Medicare Trust fund by at least nine years.

Seniors and other who want to know more about how to fight fraud in our health system can visit http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to also contact my office in Washington, D.C. at (202) 225-4071.

With every good wish,

                 Sincerely,


 
                 John D. Dingell            
                 Member of Congress

The Dearborn seniors forum will begin at 12:30 on Friday.  Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and about 40 Michigan seniors will join the Congressman and the Secretary at Dining Room B of the University of Michigan Dearborn Fairlane Center at 19000 Hubbard Drive.  With the room already near capacity, the remaining space will be held only for members of the media.  Credentialed reporters should contact the Health and Human Services Press Office at (202) 690-6343.