This bill seeks to impose significantly harsher penalties for individuals convicted of health care fraud. It amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to increase maximum prison sentences for health care fraud from 10 or 20 years to 25 or 30 years, respectively. Furthermore, the bill modifies the Social Security Act to raise criminal fines for offenses involving federal health care programs, increasing them from $100,000 to $250,000, and also extends associated prison terms from 10 years to 25 years, among other fine adjustments. The legislation also mandates that the United States Sentencing Commission review and, if appropriate, amend its guidelines and policy statements for these covered offenses. In doing so, the Commission must ensure the guidelines reflect the seriousness and growing incidence of health care fraud, emphasizing effective deterrence and appropriate punishment. Key factors for consideration include the potential and actual loss, the sophistication of the offense, intent to cause harm, and whether the crime threatened public health or safety.
This bill seeks to impose significantly harsher penalties for individuals convicted of health care fraud. It amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to increase maximum prison sentences for health care fraud from 10 or 20 years to 25 or 30 years, respectively. Furthermore, the bill modifies the Social Security Act to raise criminal fines for offenses involving federal health care programs, increasing them from $100,000 to $250,000, and also extends associated prison terms from 10 years to 25 years, among other fine adjustments. The legislation also mandates that the United States Sentencing Commission review and, if appropriate, amend its guidelines and policy statements for these covered offenses. In doing so, the Commission must ensure the guidelines reflect the seriousness and growing incidence of health care fraud, emphasizing effective deterrence and appropriate punishment. Key factors for consideration include the potential and actual loss, the sophistication of the offense, intent to cause harm, and whether the crime threatened public health or safety.