[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THE MEDICARE ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS IMPROVEMENT ACT

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring 
attention to H.R. 1959, the Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics 
Improvement Act. This legislation has been designed to improve the 
quality of orthotic and prosthetic care and reduce fraudulent payments 
for orthotic and prosthetic services under Medicare.
  This legislation would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services to reimburse only those providers who have been accredited or 
licensed in orthotics and prosthetics. The legislation also would 
require CMS to report to Congress on its enforcement efforts to reduce 
fraud and abuse. Fraud and abuse contributes not only to rising costs, 
but it also harms patients, particularly when medically necessary 
devices are arbitrarily provided or without qualified providers.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to collectively look at ways to create savings 
by combating waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare system. This 
legislation will enhance patient care and ensure that Medicare fraud is 
addressed, particularly when the fiscal solvency of the Medicare 
program is in question.

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