Amidst the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ intense focus on eliminating fraud, Easterseals is defending home- and community-based services (HCBS) and urging policy makers not to use claims of fraud as pretexts for funding cuts.
“Fraud has the potential to weaken the programs that support millions of people across America,” Easterseals’ President/CEO Kendra Davenport said in a March 10 news release. “Every dollar stolen by those abusing these programs is a dollar stolen from someone who needs care. When resources are misused, it takes support away from families who genuinely need it.”
But Davenport also denounced funding cuts that masquerade as fraud protection.
“Using ‘fraud’ as a cover for cuts is unacceptable,” Davenport said. “Debates about policies and programs need to be clear and honest. Overly broad allegations of fraud, waste and abuse should not be used to disguise massive cuts to Medicaid that will hurt millions of hardworking Americans.”
The CEO pointed out that HCBS is “not inherently fraudulent,” and instead said HCBS is “a vital program that saves taxpayers money by caring for seniors and people with disabilities in their homes and communities, rather than in significantly more expensive nursing homes and institutions.”
Davenport said rising HCBS expenditures are not the result of widespread fraud, but “are due to complex factors, like a large aging population, increased need and more people choosing to live in the community.”
“The reality we see every day in communities across the country looks very different from the narrative being pushed right now,” she added. “HCBS is a success story. HCBS programs help children get the therapies they need to reach their potential, aid people with disabilities in obtaining jobs, and help older adults remain in their home with dignity.
“The people providing these services are not bad actors. They are teachers, therapists and caregivers doing essential work for families every day.”
Davenport suggested that truly controlling fraud “requires stronger coordination across federal and state partners, faster sharing of fraud findings and provider disqualifications, and investment in modern data systems that help identify bad actors. Broad funding freezes do not prevent fraud — they only disrupt services for the people who rely on them.”
