WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, issued the following news release: Lawmakers are calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration recently announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), noting its dubious legality and the danger it poses to health care affordability for seniors. The effort comes as part of a letter to GAO from U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release: State workforce agencies were hamstrung in their ability to prevent fraud in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program because applicants were allowed to "self-certify" their work history and eligibility, according to a new watchdog report. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed internal controls used by states to manage fraud risks in th  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release: State governments often rely on contractors to collect child support payments through the Child Support Enforcement program. One of the most efficient federal programs, the program produces $5 in benefits for every $1 spent to administer it. Nearly 13 million children, representing 18 percent of all children, are affected by the program. A new ruling by the Int  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 -- Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release: After an extensive year-long review of child welfare programs in Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, the Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed a bipartisan reauthorization and reform package for child welfare programs. The Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 9076) refocuses the child welfare system on keeping families toget  more