More Obamacare fuckups

[Warriorbird]

Investigators obtain ObamaCare coverage, subsidies using fake identities



Undercover government investigators were able to obtain thousands of dollars in taxpayer subsidies under ObamaCare using fake identities, according to findings being presented to Congress on Wednesday.

The probe by the Government Accountability Office has raised fresh concerns about the ability of the sprawling health care program to prevent or intercept costly fraud schemes. In the case of the GAO investigation, 11 out of 12 applications submitted using "fictitious identities" were accepted, resulting in subsidized health coverage.

"For each of our 11 approved applications, we paid the required premiums to put policies into force, and are continuing to pay the premiums. For the 11 applications that were approved for coverage, we obtained the advance premium tax credit in all cases," the report said.

According to the GAO, the total amount for these credits was $2,500 monthly, adding up to $30,000 a year.

GAO officials were to testify about the findings before a House Ways and Means subcommittee Wednesday.

"We are seeing a trend with ObamaCare information systems: under every rock, there is incompetence, waste, and the potential for fraud," Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., chairman of the committee, said in a statement. "This law is already hitting Americans where it hurts the most - their pocketbooks. Now, this administration is forcing the American taxpayer to foot the bill for ObamaCare's waste and fraud."

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, added: "Ironically, the GAO has found ObamaCare is working really well -- for those who don't exist."

The inquiries were carried out in several different states.

The administration pointed out that six of the GAO's fake online applications were blocked by eligibility checks built into computer systems at HealthCare.gov. Still, the GAO says its undercover agents found a way around that by phoning the call centers and were able to enroll anyway.

In six other applications, GAO investigators also tried to sign up fake applicants with in-person representatives. But in five of those cases, GAO was "unable to obtain in-person assistance" for various reasons, including one representative saying they could not help because HealthCare.gov was down.

"We are examining this report carefully and will work with GAO to identify additional strategies to strengthen our verification processes," administration spokesman Aaron Albright said. At least on paper, fraudsters risk prosecution and heavy fines.

The GAO said its investigators concocted fake identities using invalid Social Security numbers and falsely claiming citizenship or legal residence. In other cases, they made up income figures that would disqualify them from getting subsidies.

Among the findings:

--Contractors processing applications for the government told the GAO their role was not to ferret out potential fraud.

--Five of six bogus phone applications went through successfully. The one exception involved an applicant who refused to provide a Social Security number.

--Six online applications were snagged by an identity checking system. But investigators just dialed a call center and all six were approved. That seemed to be an open pathway to coverage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014...stigators-say/

omg faux news!!!!11

Because the fact that there are bad people in the world should totally stop us from doing anything to help people. Also, a program actually getting help to do better at fighting fraud is clearly worthy of immediately being shut down instead of actually implementing the suggestions of that help.

Yes, that's the answer.

[Parkbandit]

Because the fact that there are bad people in the world should totally stop us from doing anything to help people. Also, a program actually getting help to do better at fighting fraud is clearly worthy of immediately being shut down instead of actually implementing the suggestions of that help.

Yes, that's the answer.

Because the fact that there are obvious holes in this system should totally not stop us from giving away money and not worrying about any of the fraud. Also, another program that allows for rampant fraud is clearly not worthy of further scrutiny and tightening up of security because the only important part is to get this system implemented and embedded into the fabric of our society.

Yes, that's the answer

[Parkbandit]

It won't survive en banc review, PB (assuming the DC appeals court grants en banc review). Since the 4th circuit voted to uphold the provision, if the DC appeals court overturns on en banc review, then there's no conflict between appeals courts, which makes it unlikely for the Supreme Court to hear the case.

Since there's no constitutional issue at stake, the Supreme Court is hesitant to jump in when appeals courts are in agreement. The challengers will need a victory in another appeals court to make that happen if the DC appeals court overturns. (From what I read, there are cases at the district court level in the 7th and 10th circuits.)

I can't speak of the worthiness of this decision.. I can only add it to the growing mountain of evidence that this is a very poorly constructed law and should be allowed to fail so we can start the dialog of implementing a program that will actually make healthcare affordable.

[Warriorbird]

I can't speak of the worthiness of this decision.. I can only add it to the growing mountain of evidence that this is a very poorly constructed law and should be allowed to fail so we can start the dialog of implementing a program that will actually make healthcare affordable.

AKA nothing at all happens.

[Parkbandit]

AKA nothing at all happens.

And anything is better than nothing! We have to do it for the children!

[Methais]

I can't speak of the worthiness of this decision.. I can only add it to the growing mountain of evidence that this is a very poorly constructed law and should be allowed to fail so we can start the dialog of implementing a program that will actually make healthcare affordable.

But it's called the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT what more could you possibly ask for?

[Kembal]

Judicial philosophy/politics I imagine.

Correct. Way more Dems than Republicans on the full bench for the DC circuit. (7-4, I think. Used to be 4-4, which is why the Republicans attempted to eliminate the last three seats before Obama could appoint people to them.)

I would recommend reading the Fourth Circuit decision for pretty strong reasoning as to why the provision should be upheld.

[Kembal]

I can't speak of the worthiness of this decision.. I can only add it to the growing mountain of evidence that this is a very poorly constructed law and should be allowed to fail so we can start the dialog of implementing a program that will actually make healthcare affordable.

I think we've discussed this before, but what do you think would create an affordable healthcare system that doesn't require a universal mandate? The evidence on high risk pools is in, and that was found to not do much.

[Parkbandit]

Correct. Way more Dems than Republicans on the full bench for the DC circuit. (7-4, I think. Used to be 4-4, which is why the Republicans attempted to eliminate the last three seats before Obama could appoint people to them.)

I would recommend reading the Fourth Circuit decision for pretty strong reasoning as to why the provision should be upheld.

I thought the Supreme Court found the appointments during Senate "recess" were unconstitutional? Weren't these 3 put there during that gray area.. and if so, couldn't their placement be questioned?

[Parkbandit]

I think we've discussed this before, but what do you think would create an affordable healthcare system that doesn't require a universal mandate? The evidence on high risk pools is in, and that was found to not do much.

The ACA did nothing to control the costs of healthcare. It's fucking crazy that I can call up my insurance carrier (Humana) and basically negotiate what they will pay and what they won't pay... and I have done the same with the hospital. It was as simple as saying "I can't afford the price of this surgery" for them to immediately take off 20%. That's shady as fuck IMO and leads me to believe the amount of padding in those costs is retardedly high.

I think it's also shady as fuck that I have 4-5 insurance carriers to choose from instead of the thousands in this country... that there are restrictions put in place to severely limit the amount of competition for my business.