Representative Tom Meyer

Health care has reached an entirely new level in Michigan. The incentive for people to make healthy lifestyle choices has expanded from being a focus on personal health and well-being to a broader focus including the impact of personal behavior on the health of others, the environment and, most visibly, the rising cost of health care.

Affordable health care has become one of the major issues of concern to residents and job providers in the state of Michigan. Employers are beginning to impose penalties for unhealthy behavior, such as smoking, by way of increased fees for health insurance. And as we grow older, health care is one of our primary concerns; one of these currently centers on the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program.

Despite statewide economic struggles, we continue to have successes in Lansing. I want to stress that the most productive and effective legislation is a result of bipartisan cooperation. While both parties have differing views, as an elected representative, my commitment lies in what is best for our community.

I fully supported legislation that recently passed the state House that will enable Michigan to pull down $5 million in federal funds to be used for criminal background checks for employees of nursing homes, adult foster care and mental health facilities. The legislation, which is now awaiting the governor's signature, will help protect these vulnerable citizens by keeping criminals out of long-term care and health care establishments. Individuals who rely on these establishments for family members can be assured we are taking advantage of every opportunity to ensure the safety and well-being of their loved ones. I am pleased to have been a part of this bipartisan effort, which will have a real impact on the protection and quality of life for those who cannot fully care for themselves.

I also proudly supported legislation to help save the state millions of dollars in fraudulent Medicaid claims by protecting and rewarding people who expose the criminal wrongdoing.

House Bill 4577 gives legal protection to those who bring a civil suit against a perpetrator of Medicaid fraud as well as provide a financial incentive. If the lawsuit is successful, the plaintiff could receive up to 30 percent of the recovery. Michigan taxpayers take it on the chin every year because of Medicaid fraud cases. We are empowering Michigan residents who witness Medicaid fraud to come forward and expose this costly crime.

According to national studies on Medicaid, between three percent and 10 percent of costs are fraudulent claims. Based on these studies between $240 million and $1 billion in taxpayer dollars are lost in Michigan each year due to Medicaid fraud.

Medicaid fraud can involve acts such as billing for services not rendered, billing the government for more expensive services than they actually performed and making illegal payments to third parties in exchange for business or referrals billed to Medicaid.

People with inside knowledge of Medicaid fraud should be encouraged to report it because it ultimately hurts everyone through increased health-care costs and poor services. One effective way to fight the rising costs of health care is to reduce the amount of Medicaid fraud.

If anyone has any questions or concerns about state government, do not hesitate to call me toll free at 1-888-254-5284. Residents can also reach me through e-mail at tommeyer@house.mi.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.