H.R. 3245 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3245 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 14, 2017Mr. Bilirakis (for himself and Ms. Castor of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to increase civil money penalties and criminal fines for Federal health care program fraud and abuse, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Civil and Criminal Penalties Update Act. 2. Increased civil and criminal penalties and increased sentences for Federal health care program fraud and abuse (a) Increased civil money penalties and criminal fines (1) Increased civil money penalties Section 1128A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), in the matter following paragraph (10)— (i) by striking $10,000 and inserting $20,000 each place it appears; (ii) by striking $15,000 and inserting $30,000; and (iii) by striking $50,000 and inserting $100,000 each place it appears; and (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking $2,000 and inserting $5,000; (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking $2,000 and inserting $5,000; and (iii) in paragraph (3)(A)(i), by striking $5,000 and inserting $10,000. (2) Increased criminal fines Section 1128B of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b) is amended— (A) in subsection (a), in the matter following paragraph (6)— (i) by striking $25,000 and inserting $100,000; and (ii) by striking $10,000 and inserting $20,000; (B) in subsection (b)— (i) in paragraph (1), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking $25,000 and inserting $100,000; and (ii) in paragraph (2), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking $25,000 and inserting $100,000; (C) in subsection (c), by striking $25,000 and inserting $100,000; (D) in subsection (d), in the flush text following paragraph (2), by striking $25,000 and inserting $100,000; and (E) in subsection (e), by striking $2,000 and inserting $4,000. (b) Increased sentences for felonies involving Federal health care program fraud and abuse (1) False statements and representations Section 1128B(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b(a)) is amended, in the matter following paragraph (6), by striking not more than five years or both, or (ii) and inserting not more than 10 years or both, or (ii). (2) Antikickback Section 1128B(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b(b)) is amended— (A) in paragraph (1), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking not more than five years and inserting not more than 10 years; and (B) in paragraph (2), in the flush text following subparagraph (B), by striking not more than five years and inserting not more than 10 years. (3) False statement or representation with respect to conditions or operations of facilities Section 1128B(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b(c)) is amended by striking not more than five years and inserting not more than 10 years. (4) Excess charges Section 1128B(d) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7b(d)) is amended, in the flush text following paragraph (2), by striking not more than five years and inserting not more than 10 years. (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to acts committed after the date of the enactment of this Act.