[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 168 (Thursday, December 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1509, MEDICARE INDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION ACT OF 2011

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                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 27, 2012

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1509, the Medicare Identity 
Theft Prevention Act. There has been longstanding bipartisan support--
led by Ways and Means Members Lloyd Doggett and Sam Johnson--for 
removing Social Security numbers from Medicare beneficiary cards. A 
similar bill passed the House all the way back in 2008, but the Senate 
failed to act. No progress has been made on this issue in the 
intervening years.
  That said, I must express concern about violating regular order in 
bringing this bill to the floor today. There are technical edits that 
we believe are important to make before it is signed into law. 
Unfortunately, because it didn't move through the committee process, 
such changes are impossible under the suspension of the rules.
  Removing Social Security numbers is one step to protecting 
beneficiaries from identity theft. The Social Security number is 
especially valuable to identity thieves as it serves as the key to 
authenticating an individual's identity in order to open accounts or 
obtain other benefits in the victim's name. Identity theft can be 
particularly devastating to seniors because their incomes are so 
modest.
  We have held hearings on these issues and our Members have voted for 
these protections numerous times. No one can question our commitment 
here. But I would urge that we work to make sure that the Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration 
are provided appropriate funds for such a large undertaking as its been 
the cost and complexity which has held up this issue for so long.
  The Social Security number is printed on the Medicare card 
beneficiaries carry in their wallets. It is used for communication 
between the beneficiary and Medicare, providers billing Medicare, 
enrollment transactions with Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare 
prescription drug plans, and communications within and between 
Medicare's 50 internal information systems and between Medicare and the 
Social Security Administration.
  This is not as simple as printing new cards as some would lead us to 
believe. It requires revising numerous computer systems as well as 
significant beneficiary and provider education. And, there are serious 
risks to beneficiaries' access to care and out-of-pocket costs if 
mistakes are made.
  The cost will likely be in the hundreds of millions. Yet, the 
Medicare agency and Social Security Administration have been 
underfunded by Republicans for years. They are working with minimal 
administrative budgets. This bill improves on the 2008 legislation 
passed with bipartisan support because it provides funding. But we must 
make sure that the funding is sufficient and that both the Medicare 
agency and Social Security Administration equitably access these funds.

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