[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H7309-H7313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MEDICARE IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION ACT OF 2012
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 1509) to amend title II of the Social Security
Act to prohibit the inclusion of Social Security account numbers on
Medicare cards, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1509
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Identity Theft
Prevention Act of 2012''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF INCLUSION OF SOCIAL SECURITY ACCOUNT
NUMBERS ON MEDICARE CARDS.
(a) In General.--Section 205(c)(2)(C) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)) is amended--
(1) by moving clause (x), as added by section 1414(a)(2) of
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 2 ems to the
left;
(2) by redesignating clause (x), as added by section
2(a)(1) of the Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010,
and clause (xi) as clauses (xi) and (xii), respectively; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(xiii) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall
establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that a Social
Security account number (or derivative thereof) is not
displayed, coded, or embedded on the Medicare card issued to
an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of
title XVIII or enrolled under part B of title XVIII and that
any other identifier displayed on such card is not
identifiable as a Social Security account number (or
derivative thereof).''.
(b) Implementation.--In implementing clause (xiii) of
section 205(c)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
405(c)(2)(C)), as added by subsection (a)(3), the Secretary
of Health and Human Services shall establish a cost-effective
process that involves the least amount of disruption to
Medicare beneficiaries and health care providers. The
Secretary shall consider implementing a process, similar to
the process involving Railroad Retirement Board
beneficiaries, under which a Medicare beneficiary identifier
which is not a Social Security account number (or derivative
thereof) is used external to the Department of Health and
Human Services and is convertible over to a Social Security
account number (or derivative thereof) for use internal to
such Department and the Social Security Administration.
(c) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Clause (xiii) of section 205(c)(2)(C) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)), as added by
subsection (a)(3), shall apply with respect to Medicare cards
issued on and after an effective date specified by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, but in no case shall
such effective date be later than the date that is 3 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Reissuance.--The Secretary--
(A) shall provide for the reissuance of Medicare cards that
comply with the requirements of such clause not later than 3
years after the effective date specified by the Secretary
under paragraph (1); and
(B) may permit an individual to apply for the reissuance of
a Medicare card that complies with such requirements before
the date of reissuance otherwise provided under subparagraph
(A) in such exceptional circumstances as the Secretary may
specify.
(d) Funding.--
(1) Offset from mif.--Amounts in the Medicare Improvement
Fund under section 1898 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395iii) that are available for expenditures from the Fund
for services furnished in a fiscal year (through fiscal year
2020) shall be available for transfer to the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management Account as
the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines
necessary to offset the costs incurred by the Secretary
(including costs under the agreement described in paragraph
(2)(A)) in such fiscal year (or a previous fiscal year) in
implementing clause (xiii) of section 205(c)(2)(C) of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 405(c)(2)(C)), as added by subsection (a)(3),
and this section.
(2) Availability of funding for the social security
administration.--
(A) Funding under agreement.--The Commissioner of Social
Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
enter into and maintain an agreement which shall--
(i) provide funds to the Commissioner, at scheduled
intervals as specified in the agreement, for the full costs
of the responsibilities of the Commissioner under this
section; and
(ii) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of the
actual costs incurred and the funds provided under the
agreement.
(B) Availability of funds.--Amounts transferred to the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management
Account under paragraph (1) shall be available to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out the
agreement under subparagraph (A) and the Secretary shall
provide funds to the Commissioner as required under such
agreement.
(e) Accountability.--
(1) Accounting of expenditures.--The Secretary of Health
and Human Services and the Commissioner of Social Security
shall--
(A) keep a detailed accounting of expenditures associated
with the implementation of such clause and this section; and
[[Page H7310]]
(B) submit a report on such expenditures to the Committee
on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Finance of the Senate, and the Comptroller
General of the United States, on a semi-annual basis, in each
of fiscal years 2013 through 2021.
(2) Audit.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a semi-
annual financial audit of the expenditures of the Department
of Health and Human Services and of the Social Security
Administration during such fiscal years in implementing such
clause and this section. Each such audit shall include an
examination of whether funds made available under subsection
(d) are used solely for the purpose described in such
subsection.
SEC. 3. MEDICARE SMART CARD TECHNOLOGY STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study that examines whether the Medicare
program should use smart card technology for Medicare
beneficiary cards and for provider membership cards.
(b) Details of Study.--Such study shall include an
examination of the following:
(1) Potential levels of provider investment required to use
cards with such technology in various care settings.
(2) Systems-related and implementation-related costs to the
Medicare program to use such technology.
(3) The extent to which private insurance companies have
adopted or considered such technology and their reasons for
adoption or non-adoption of such technology.
(4) The extent to which use of cards with such technology
would--
(A) reduce the potential for identity theft and other
unlawful use of Medicare beneficiary and provider identifying
information;
(B) increase the quality of care furnished to Medicare
beneficiaries;
(C) improve the accuracy and efficiency in the billing for
Medicare items and services furnished by Medicare providers;
(D) reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program;
and
(E) impact the ability of Medicare beneficiaries to access
services.
(c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance
of the Senate a report on the study conducted under this
section. Such report may include recommendations regarding
the use of smart card technology under the Medicare program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).
General Leave
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Today, the House considers legislation that has long been a
bipartisan priority of the Committee on Ways and Means, protecting
seniors from identity theft. Identity theft is a lasting and
devastating crime. Victims spend years having to prove who they are
while monitoring credit reports, fending off collection agencies for
charges they never made, or the IRS for taxes they don't owe. Some are
even picked up by law enforcement for crimes committed by the ID thief
using their name. Seniors have every reason to be concerned.
According to the Department of Justice, 8.6 million households
experienced identity theft in 2010. Over 1 million of these households
are headed by seniors at risk of having their Social Security numbers
stolen. Fraud involving government documents accounted for 27 percent
of the identity theft complaints in 2011, making it the most common and
fastest growing form of identity theft complaint according to the
Federal Trade Commission.
Mr. Speaker, we know Americans are told not to carry their Social
Security cards in case a wallet or purse is lost or stolen. Yet seniors
are told they must carry their Medicare card which displays their
Social Security number. Not only does this not make sense; it puts
seniors at risk. The largest seniors organization in America agrees.
According to AARP:
All Medicare patients must carry a benefits card that
displays their Social Security number. Such easy assess to
sensitive information makes the cards a hot target for
identity thieves who want to file false claims.
Mr. Speaker, the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2012
requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation
with the Commissioner of Social Security, to take action to ensure
Social Security numbers no longer are used on Medicare cards. It
requires the Secretary to develop a cost-effective way to do that, with
as little impact as possible on Medicare beneficiaries and health care
providers.
Further, funds from the Medicare Improvement Fund are made available
to pay for implementation costs. According to CBO, the costs of this
bill are fully offset and would not increase the deficit.
Lastly, the bill directs GAO to conduct a study to determine whether
the Medicare program should use smart card technology, an idea advanced
by my colleagues, Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania and Earl Blumenauer of
Oregon, to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare program.
Members should know this isn't the first time CMS has been directed
to act. Starting in 2002, GAO first called for ending the use of Social
Security numbers on government documents. Then in 2005, fiscal year
2006, the Labor-HHS bill urged the Secretary to accelerate planning for
removing Social Security numbers and asked for a report. And then in
2007, OMB issued a directive to all Federal agencies to develop plans
for reducing the use of Social Security numbers. And then in 2008, my
colleague Lloyd Doggett and I brought a bill to the floor that passed
by voice vote to end the use of Social Security numbers on Medicare
cards. Most recently, at an August 2012 Ways and Means Committee joint
subcommittee hearing, GAO questioned CMS's lack of a serious plan to
stop displaying the Social Security number.
While CMS fails to act, both the public and private sectors are
working to protect their customers and businesses from identity theft.
The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are removing Social
Security numbers from their ID and medical cards, and I applaud them
for taking that action. Private health insurance and many others ended
the use of Social Security numbers on public documents a long time ago.
And even CMS knows better. It won't allow insurers in the Medicare
Advantage and part D drug benefit programs to use Social Security
numbers on their enrollees' cards.
The time to protect our nearly 50 million Americans carrying Medicare
cards with their personal information is long overdue. It's high time
that Congress passes this commonsense bill. There's no reason why
American seniors have to continue to be put at risk of ID theft. We
need to act right now, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes''
and pass the Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act today.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Johnson for his leadership on this, and
I concur fully with the remarks he made.
In 2008, I filed this piece of legislation with Chairman Johnson's
help. At that time, we worked together and passed it through the House,
and the Senate failed to act.
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And since that time, whether it was under a Republican or Democratic
administration, there has not been sufficient priority placed on this
by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to address this
question of privacy. It is a serious matter. It clearly requires
legislation, and this time, hopefully, the Senate will respond to our
bipartisan initiative and get it passed into law.
There are, indeed, about 48 million Americans, seniors, individuals
with disabilities, who are carrying in their wallet or purse today
something that makes them vulnerable to identity theft, and that
something is their Medicare card.
Apart from the Social Security card itself, the Medicare card is the
most frequently issued government document that displays a Social
Security number, and that practice invites foul play.
It was back in 2007 when the Bush administration, recognizing this
danger
[[Page H7311]]
by the overuse of Social Security numbers, sent out a directive to
Federal agencies to eliminate the use of Social Security numbers and
explore alternative identifiers. Despite this directive, Medicare has
not yet taken appropriate steps to remove the numbers from Medicare
cards.
Although we have bipartisan agreement on the severity of the problem,
we also have had bipartisan administrative inaction when it comes to
addressing it. Clearly, we need congressional action.
To protect both the savings and the peace of mind of Medicare
beneficiaries, this bipartisan legislation would require Medicare to
take steps that private companies, the Department of Defense, and the
Department of Veterans Affairs have already taken to protect the
identities of those that they serve.
Every time that a senior or an individual with disabilities hands
over their Medicare card to a health care provider or elsewhere, they
are handing over the keys to their financial security. With increasing
sophistication by identity thieves, inaction again here is simply
unacceptable.
Seniors who have saved, who have built a lifetime of financial
security and their reputations are all at stake. Their savings and
their credit should not be put needlessly at risk if someone steals a
Medicare card or it gets misplaced or left with a provider by mistake.
Medicare should make sure that it does no harm to the financial
security and credit rating of those that it serves with health care
security. This act will help to ensure that the government better
protects our seniors, denying thieves access to this critical data.
Inaction would jeopardize in a continuing way the safety of so many.
This legislation, when we previously introduced it, was supported by
Consumers Union, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and
Medicare, the Silver Haired Legislature, nationally and in Texas, as
well as the Elder Justice Coalition.
Seniors confront many threats to retirement security these days, but
this bill will be directed toward one that we can do something about
immediately, and that's those who would swindle our seniors.
I urge adoption of the measure, and reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins), a member of the Committee on
Ways and Means.
Ms. JENKINS. I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding, and would
like to commend Chairman Johnson and Congressman Doggett for their
leadership on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, today there are nearly 50 million Medicare beneficiaries
who are told to carry their Medicare cards with them at all times while
simultaneously being told not to carry their Social Security card. They
are told that carrying their Social Security card in their purse or
wallet puts them at risk of identity theft, which is a problem that
affects 1 million seniors yearly.
The irony is that the Medicare cards all feature beneficiaries'
Social Security numbers prominently. This means that our seniors are in
a tight spot. They are at risk of identity theft simply by carrying
their Medicare card with them.
I support passage of this bill because it would ensure that a
person's Social Security Number is no longer printed on their Medicare
card. This bipartisan, commonsense measure will ensure that the 115,000
Medicare enrollees in my district will be safe from identity theft.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, one addition to this bill from 2008 deals
with the question of Medicare fraud. I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman
from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), the cosponsor of legislation dealing with
that and a member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, to discuss
this important addition.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy, and I strongly
identify with the persistence and the eloquence from Chairman Johnson
and my friend, Mr. Doggett, to deal with this problem of identity
theft.
The hearing was a little unnerving. I appreciate the follow-through
and, hopefully, something will happen. I identify strongly with the
arguments you made on behalf of it.
But I would like to focus, if I could, on one other element because
it's directly related. And I see my good friend, Mr. Gerlach, is here
on the floor, and I anticipate will be speaking to it as well.
We should be concerned about maybe learning another lesson from the
Department of Defense, which, as the chairman mentioned, is already
using this for their purposes. Being able to use an opportunity for a
Common Access Card for Medicare will have very important application to
the area of rampant Medicare fraud.
Sixty billion dollars is the number we have heard in our
subcommittee. It could be more, it could be less, but it's a huge sum
of money, and it compounds going forward.
Our first concern, however, should be about the quality of care for
the senior citizens who receive Medicare. And the Common Access Card,
being able to digitally track this information, provides security for
these transactions, makes it less likely that there will be mistakes,
be able to follow up and follow through.
Second, it will, in fact, help us stop fraud. This is an area that
has been relentlessly abused, where people order, there are changes in
the order, sometimes orders are actually made that are entirely
different than what people had requested.
Having this secure card will enable people to be able to have the
security of the transaction, know where it's at, greater accuracy of
billing, track mistakes, stop fraud. And I cannot say strongly enough
that I think it's important for us to move.
I appreciate the work that was done putting a study over the next 2
years about this provision. But with all due respect, I hope, as this
legislation works its way through Congress--and I hope that it is yet
enacted while we are still here for the 112th Congress--that we're able
to be serious not just about a 2-year study. This is an area in which
we ought to be able to implement pilot projects right now across the
country.
It would make a difference for the administration. I think there's no
question we could come to scale very quickly, help senior citizens and
the reliability of their Medicare coverage, reduce fraud, and allow
government to track our activities going forward.
There's a lot of talk about the fiscal cliff and the need to save
money and the back and forth that's going on here. But this provision
that Mr. Gerlach and I are advancing is a simple, commonsense,
bipartisan proposal that would help us right now improve service, save
money, and improve the reliability of the system.
I would hope that this is the sort of provision that would find favor
with our colleagues in the House, and with the administration, working
together, we can implement those pilot projects sooner rather than
later and have broader application for great, positive effect for
Medicare, for the taxpayers.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach), who is a member of the
Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I want to first acknowledge the hard work
and leadership of my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Mr.
Johnson of Texas, as well as our committee chairman, Mr. Camp of
Michigan. Both gentlemen recognize the urgency of finding practical
solutions for protecting seniors and taxpayers against easily
preventable Medicare waste, fraud and improper payments, and the ever
increasing threat of identity theft.
Mr. Speaker, whenever someone in Washington proposes a new idea for
shrinking costs and saving precious taxpayer dollars, we usually
receive a barrage of questions from folks concerned that they will have
to do with less and possibly see services they depend upon curtailed in
some way.
This legislation we're considering today contains provisions that
would kick-start a critically important process that ultimately may
allow Congress to use commonsense technology in cutting an estimated
$60 billion a year in improper and fraudulent Medicare payments while
making sure seniors enrolled in Medicare receive the care and treatment
they have earned.
{time} 1500
We're attempting to cut costs without restricting access to care.
Specifically, this legislation authorizes a
[[Page H7312]]
study by the Government Accountability Office examining the benefits of
a proposed pilot program to modernize the Medicare card that almost
every senior carries with him or her in a wallet or a pocketbook. Under
the proposed pilot program as introduced in legislation by my colleague
Congressman Blumenauer and myself, as part of the Medicare Common
Access Card Act, smart card technology would be used to protect
personal information of Medicare participants, prevent phantom billing
for procedures that were never performed or products that were never
purchased, and speed payments to doctors and hospitals while reducing
costly billing errors.
While today's Medicare card provides seniors access to the health
care services they need, that small piece of plastic can provide the
narrow opening unscrupulous individuals exploit to snatch identities
and cheat taxpayers and seniors out of billions of dollars every year.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that
waste, fraud, and abuse cost the Medicare program about $60 billion a
year. Nearly 10 percent of the entire annual Medicare budget--or
approximately $48 billion a year--is lost to improper payments,
according to a report issued by the Government Accountability Office.
That's a significant amount of human resources and financial resources
that are better used helping our seniors pay for hospital visits,
prescription drugs, and other vital medical care.
The Department of Defense has issued more than 20 million secure
smart cards to authenticate and verify access for access to programs
and facilities. To date, the Department of Defense reports that not a
single common access card has been counterfeited.
We cannot stop improper payments in the Medicare system until we find
a way to know and to verify who is authorized to provide and receive
benefits. A comprehensive study is an important first step that will
make sure we get the job done right for taxpayers, seniors, doctors,
and other health care providers.
Taxpayers and seniors deserve the protection against identity theft
and fraud that this legislation would provide, and I urge my colleagues
to begin the process of putting in place a simple, low-cost solution
for bringing the Medicare card into the 21st century, and I thank the
gentleman for leading this effort.
Mr. DOGGETT. I yield 2 minutes to the ranking member of the Health
Subcommittee on the Commerce Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Pallone).
Mr. PALLONE. I thank my colleague from Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I, like many of my colleagues, am concerned with the
problem of identity theft--particularly identity theft from elderly
individuals, who can be viewed as easy victims by unscrupulous
criminals. I think we all agree that a commonsense step to prevent
identity theft and further protect beneficiaries is to remove
beneficiary Social Security numbers from their Medicare cards, but it's
important to point out that this is not as easy as it would seem at
first glance.
Medicare has dozens of claims processing systems, each that will need
to be modified to accept a new beneficiary number. Providers, too, will
have to ensure their billing systems can accommodate the new numbers.
We will need an extensive education campaign to ensure that a new
numbering system or the issuance of new cards doesn't simply present a
golden opportunity for unscrupulous individuals to find a new way to
rip off seniors.
Now, I certainly support the policy goal of H.R. 1509, the Medicare
Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2012. This bill provides approximately
$300 million to the Secretary of HHS to move forward on removing Social
Security numbers from ID cards, yet we do not know whether that amount
is sufficient. I'm concerned that if we fail to provide sufficient
funding for this task, we may wind up with a programmatic mess,
confusion, or even worse. I think we owe it to the Medicare
beneficiaries and providers to ensure that this worthy undertaking is
done well. In addition, the bill allows for funding of the Social
Security Administration's costs but not the costs of the Medicare
agency itself, and that's an issue that has to be addressed.
So as we move forward, Mr. Speaker, we must make sure that the
funding is sufficient and that both CMS and SSA can equitably access
these funds. Beneficiary identity security depends on it.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Herger), also a member on the Ways and
Means Committee and chairman on the Subcommittee on Health.
Mr. HERGER. I thank my good friend from Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in strong support of H.R. 1509, which is
commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will protect our Nation's
seniors.
I do not doubt that many of us have received letters from
constituents who have faced problems due to their Social Security
number being compromised. Over the years, I've held a number of forums
in my northern California district to raise awareness about identity
theft and financial scams targeting senior citizens. I've heard
complaints from many of these constituents that, while the public
increasingly understands the importance of safeguarding personal
information, Medicare isn't doing its part. With today's vote, we take
the first step towards removing these numbers from the Medicare cards
that beneficiaries are encouraged to carry with them at all times.
We've heard too many excuses over the years, and it is becoming clear
to me that CMS simply isn't interested in protecting seniors and people
with disabilities from identity theft. Importantly, this legislation
will not increase the deficit.
H.R. 1509 also includes a study to examine the use of smart card
technology in the Medicare program. Some technology stakeholders have
expressed concerns with the duration of the 2-year study. If GAO is
able to complete the study on a more expedited timeframe, I would be
happy to work with Congressman Gerlach and the technology community to
shorten this deadline as the bill moves through the legislative
process.
Given the inaction at CMS on removing Social Security numbers from
Medicare cards, it is time for the Congress to lead. It is time to take
this long overdue, commonsense approach and protect America's seniors.
I urge passage of H.R. 1509.
Mr. DOGGETT. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen), a member of the Ways and Means Committee and
acting chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Medicare Identity Theft
Prevention Act.
With the constant growth of technology and, as an unfortunate result,
identity theft, I have received numerous inquiries from my
constituents--and in particular, seniors--about what we are doing and
the need to protect people from identity theft. Earlier this year, I
also held a seminar in my district with seniors about identity theft,
and it was very well attended.
In 2010, nearly 7 percent of households were victims of identity
theft. Of those households, over 1 million were headed by seniors.
Today, nearly 50 million Medicare cards display the Social Security
number. Social Security numbers are absolutely one of the most valuable
pieces of personal identity that we have, therefore making it a top
target for criminals.
For years, the General Accounting Office and the Social Security
special inspector general have recommended and asked Congress to remove
the Social Security numbers from Medicare cards because it is an
unnecessary risk for seniors. That's exactly what this legislation
does. It will help prevent seniors from becoming victims of these types
of theft and fraud by removing the Social Security number from those
Medicare cards.
I'm pleased to be a cosponsor and actively support this legislation.
This is common sense. This is bipartisan. There's no reason for delay.
We can stop putting seniors at unnecessary risk.
I want to thank, in particular, the subcommittee chairman, Mr.
Johnson, as well as Congressman Doggett for their bipartisan leadership
on this effort and bringing it to the floor before the end of the year.
[[Page H7313]]
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Marchant), a member of the Committee on Ways
and Means.
Mr. MARCHANT. I rise to support the Medicare Identity Theft
Prevention Act of 2012. This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that
would establish cost-effective procedures to help protect the identity
of all seniors.
Seniors are a high-risk demographic for identity theft. Identity
thieves have targeted seniors in my district in Texas and across the
country. This year's Centers for Medicare Services inspector general
report found that more than a quarter million Medicare beneficiaries
have been potential victims of identity theft.
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Most Medicare cards currently use Social Security numbers as the
identifier. By removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards,
this bill gives seniors the identity protection that they deserve.
Seniors work their entire lives for financial security, and that
security should not be jeopardized due to preventable identity theft.
Other Federal programs and private insurance plans made similar changes
years ago, and Medicare beneficiaries should have the same level of
identity protection and security.
I'm proud to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do
so.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, my
colleague, Chairman Johnson, and I hope the Senate will respond this
time to our action.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Thank you, Mr. Doggett.
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, despite increasing pressure from this committee and this
House, CMS has refused to act to remove Social Security numbers from
Medicare cards. If CMS won't act, we must. This commonsense bill is a
vital step in protecting our Nation's seniors from identity theft, and
we can't afford to put seniors at risk any longer. Medicare
beneficiaries want, need, and deserve better. I urge all my colleagues
to vote ``yes,'' and I hope the Senate will act immediately to pass
this legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Medicare
Identity Theft Prevention Act. I applaud Chairman Johnson and
Representative Doggett for introducing this bill and bringing it to the
floor.
America's seniors are some of our most valued citizens. They have
spent their lives working hard and preparing for their much deserved
``golden years.'' It seems only fitting, then, that we reward their
hard work and labor by protecting them. That's our job.
Under current law, Social Security numbers are used as the main
component of a Medicare beneficiary's health insurance claim number and
are displayed on over 50 million Medicare ID cards. This simply doesn't
make sense. It puts each of these 50 million people at heightened risk
for identity theft and fraud. We've already seen high rates for this
type of crime: in 2010 alone over 8.6 million households were victims
of ID theft, including one million seniors. Seniors' social security
numbers are especially valuable because they can be used by thieves to
obtain employment, benefits, and credit.
The GAO first recommended removing social security numbers from
government documents ten years ago. Both the private and public sectors
have already taken steps to remove social security numbers from forms
of public identification. However, fully aware of the risks posed to
seniors, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has refused to
act. Both sides of the aisle agree, this is simply unacceptable.
Therefore, it is clearly time for Congress to take action. I urge my
colleagues to support this legislation so that we can better protect
our senior citizens.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1509, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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