ATLANTA – State Representative David Clark (R-Buford) announced that the House Welfare Fraud Study Committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2015 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta. The study committee, chaired by Rep. Clark, will examine ways for the state to improve on anti-fraud programs, and address opportunities to identify additional waste, fraud, and abuse in the state.
“When Matthew David Harrell and Andrea Lillie Barrett stole more than $977,000 from Georgia’s Medicaid program last year, the duo proved how easy it is to scam the system,” said Rep. Clark. “While they, and many others, were caught, they represent just a tiny fraction of the fraud and abuse going on in Georgia’s welfare program. I know Georgians are tired of welfare scams, and we’re all tired of seeing them exploit and rob those who need our help the most. Not only do we have a responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent properly, we also need to keep them from the hands of criminals. These scammers threaten the stability of our safety nets, and it’s time we put a stop to it. Other states such as Florida, Illinois, and Maine have had great success using new technologies to combat fraud, saving hundreds of millions in some cases, and this committee will explore these options for Georgia.”
Created by House Resolution 829, the Welfare Fraud Study Committee will examine the following topics: the victims of waste, fraud, and abuse; the current barriers to uncovering more fraud and abuse; and the potential impact on our budget looking at other states. The committee invites those on waiting lists for services, as well as advocacy groups representing those in need, and program commissioners to talk about their experiences with fraud. The committee will discuss federal restrictions on fraud oversight in these programs, and Georgia’s current laws and the role of cross-agency data sharing. The committee will also talk with legislators and administrators from other states who have adopted anti-fraud programs, as well as policy experts from around the country who focus on best practices for stopping welfare fraud and abuse.
For more information, please call 404-656-0325.
WHO: Rep. David Clark (R-Buford), Chair, House Welfare Fraud Study Committee
House Welfare Fraud Study Committee
WHAT: Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2015
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE: Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Room 606
206 Washington St SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
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