Johnson and Boustany Introduce Bill to Reduce Disability Fraud

WASHINGTON -- Today, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany (R-LA) introduced H.R. 2359, the Disability Fraud Reduction and Unethical Deception Prevention Act of 2015.

The legislation would protect hardworking taxpayers from fraud in the disability program. For example, in October 2013, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee concluded a bipartisan investigation into how a Kentucky law firm, a Social Security judge, and several doctors colluded to improperly award benefits to hundreds of applicants.

Disability attorney Eric Conn hired doctors with suspended or revoked licenses to provide favorable medical evidence for his clients. Administrative-law judge David Daugherty would then award benefits to Mr. Conn's clients based on falsified medical opinions.

The Disability FRAUD Prevention Act of 2015 would take a number of steps to ensure that fraud rings pay for their crimes and never rip off taxpayers or disability recipients.

Upon introduction, Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson said:

Hardworking American taxpayers expect a disability system that isn't riddled with fraud and abuse, and Americans with disabilities deserve a program that has the strong support and confidence of the American people. That's why it's so important to prevent fraud before it happens, and to strongly punish those who cheat the program. That's what Americans want, need, and deserve.

Upon introduction, Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany said:

This bill takes a number of simple, commonsense steps to better protect the integrity of our disability programs, including the Supplemental Security Income program, which in recent years has been at great risk for abuse. That's good for these programs themselves, the taxpayers who support them, and most of all for the individuals who count on them.

Other Ways and Means Committee Members co-sponsoring this legislation include Rep. Black (R-TN), Rep. Kelly (R-PA) and Rep. Reed (R-NY).

Read this original document at: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398629