Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Tom Carper have introduced the bipartisan FEHB Protection Act aimed at curbing fraud within the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The legislation seeks to address the mismanagement of the program, which has led to the wastage of approximately $1 billion in taxpayer dollars each year. Senator Scott expressed his commitment to cracking down on fraudulent activities within the program, emphasizing the need for accountability and efficient use of taxpayer funds. He stated, “There must be zero tolerance for individuals intentionally exploiting and defrauding the federal government."

Senator Carper echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of ensuring that only eligible individuals are enrolled in the FEHB program. He emphasized the potential for significant cost savings by confirming eligibility and removing ineligible members from the program. Carper stated, “As government officials, we must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars."

The FEHB Protection Act includes provisions such as verifying eligibility when adding a family member, considering ineligible members as a fraud risk during annual assessments, and conducting a comprehensive audit to identify ineligible family members. The legislation also grants explicit authority to the Office of Personnel Management to remove individuals found to be ineligible.

The introduction of the FEHB Protection Act comes in response to a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office, revealing significant financial losses due to mismanagement within the FEHB program. Senators Scott and Carper are determined to address these issues and ensure the program's integrity and efficiency moving forward.