Stae Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane Township, introduced legislation in the state House of Representatives this week to combat health care waste, fraud and abuse. House Bill 1493, the Pennsylvania False Claims Act, was introduced by Neuman and state Rep. Tony DeLuca. More than 30 Democratic and Republican House members already co-sponsor the bill.

Pennsylvanians lose as much as $200 million a year through Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse, Neuman said. Our Pennsylvania False Claims Act legislation House Bill 1493 would go a long way toward deterring this dishonesty.

The bill will allow for a unique private and public partnership with citizens who have knowledge of wrongdoings by vendors benefiting from state money. The whistleblowers would also be authorized to initiate false claims actions.

Neuman said an important ally, state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane, also supports the initiative. Under the legislation, the state attorney general would have primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting false claims actions.

The bill would increase the commonwealths share of recovery under a successful Medicaid fraud lawsuit by 10 percent via a federal incentive program, Neuman said. More than half of the states and the District of Columbia have false claims acts, and implementing one in Pennsylvania would provide a new source of revenue while punishing those who steal taxpayer dollars.

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Neuman introduces legislation to combat health care fraud