Medicaid fraud legislation would help bring back benefits to disadvantaged

Missouri should restore Medicaid benefits to disabled workers and low-income children. And the General Assembly should pass a tougher law protecting Medicaid funds from fraudulent claims and overbilling by dishonest providers.

Because of shortsighted leadership in the House, neither change was approved last session. Now Gov. Matt Blunt has delivered a challenge to his own party:

If House leaders agree on meaningful Medicaid fraud legislation, Blunt will call a special session to restore medical coverage for 3,000 disabled adults and 9,000 children. Their Medicaid benefits were ended by the governor and legislature in 2005, but recent improved revenues have led to calls to restore the benefits.

Blunt is right to insist that any Medicaid correction include an honest attempt to crack down on provider fraud.