HARRISBURG – Two bills to prevent waste and fraud in Pennsylvania’s medical assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were approved by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-29), the prime sponsor of both bills.
“Taxpayers are very upset when they learn of waste and abuse in these important programs which are designed to help people in need,” said Argall. “These bills will ensure that taxpayer dollars are going to those in genuine need of assistance, not to bad actors trying to take advantage of the system or mistakenly to people who don’t need it.”
Senate Bill 1121 would require the department to check wage records with the Department of Revenue and employers quarterly to ensure Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits are not mistakenly or fraudulently going to fully employed Pennsylvanians.
Senate Bill 1124 would require the department to check death certificates with the Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics monthly to ensure Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits are not going to people who have died.
Both bills now advance to the full Senate for its consideration.
Contact: Jim Brugger
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