Jun. 09, 2020
HARRISBURG – The House today moved a package of bills to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to fund the priorities of Pennsylvanians are not being used fraudulently or misspent. The House Human Services Committee approved
House Bills 2350,
2351,
2352 and
2355, while the House State Government Committee approved
House Bills 2353 and
2354.
Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover), who spearheaded the initiative to create the bill package and is the sponsor of House Bill 2352, issued the following statement:
“The fact six pieces of legislation is needed to address the issue of fraud is a clear indication of scale of the problem. Each bill homes in on issues plaguing state government and each bill aims to fix the problem.
“Make no mistake, defrauding the taxpayers is a serious offense and this package enhances the civil and criminal penalties associated with frequently taking taxpayer money. Recognizing government programs are funded by the people, this package will also ensure the state acts as good stewards of taxpayer money by reducing improper payments. Every dollar which is misspent or fraudulently taken is another dollar which is taken from those relying on critical government services or which hard-working taxpayers have to make up.
“Sending these bills to the House now is particularly timely. Pennsylvania recently received nearly $4 billion in federal COVID-19 response aid and some of the money has been allocated. It is of the utmost importance this funding, as well as all tax dollars, are accounted for and used appropriately once it leaves state coffers. It is my hope the full House soon takes up the bills and sends them to the Senate for consideration.”
After reading a grand jury report on fraud in Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Program, also known as Medicaid, and conducting further research, Grove worked with fellow members of the General Assembly to draft the package of bills. The aim of the legislation is to address problems laid out in the report, and a report by the House Government Oversight Committee. Included in the reports were several recommendations such as, legislation to strengthen the requirements for Medicaid providers. Many of the recommendations were incorporated into the bills.
Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
RepGrove.com /
Facebook.com/RepSethGrove