House Bills Aim to Combat Fraud in Federal Budget

WASHINGTON—The House Ways and Means Committee approved several bills aimed at reducing waste, fraud, abuse and errors in the federal budget as well as reauthorizing demonstration authority in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Among the bills filed are the Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act and the DME (durable medical equipment) Scammer Prevention Act of 2026. 

The Protecting Seniors and Stopping Fraudsters Act (HR 8883) would increase oversight of hospices and home health agencies (HHAs) by increasing inspections for new hospices and HHAs from every three years to every year, tripling existing penalties for failing to meet reporting requirements, and ensuring the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) notifies seniors when they are enrolled in hospice care and helps them disenroll.

The DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026 (HR 8871) would require suppliers of durable medical equipment (DME) to submit electronic bill claims within 90 days of a physician’s order to help CMS catch fraudulent claims.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released positive comments toward the bills, calling them a “good place to start.”

“We are encouraged by the Ways and Means Committee’s continued focus on reducing waste, fraud, abuse and errors and supporting Americans with disabilities who want to join or remain in the workforce,” the organization said. “With the government spending $186 billion a year on improper payments and $158 billion a year on disability benefits, these proposals have the potential to modestly reduce deficits and strengthen economic growth. Perhaps more significantly, these proposals can help to improve fairness and direct benefits where they are most needed.”