H.R. 233House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:01 AM UTC

The Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act expands the authority of state Medicaid fraud and abuse control units so they can pursue cases of patient abuse and neglect wherever Medicaid patients receive care, not just in board‑and‑care facilities. It also revises a funding clause to remove a restriction on the Secretary’s discretion, making the funding rules clearer. The bill affects state Medicaid enforcement agencies and the Medicaid patients they serve.

Key Provisions

Amends the Social Security Act to add language that state Medicaid fraud and abuse control units can investigate and prosecute abuse or neglect of Medicaid patients not only in board‑and‑care facilities but also in any non‑institutional or other setting.
Changes the funding provision by deleting language that tied the Secretary’s ability to allocate funds to “as found necessary… for the elimination of fraud,” thereby clarifying that funding is not limited by that discretion.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 25, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 3, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

January 3, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 25, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 3, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 233

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2019

Mr. Walberg (for himself and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to clarify the authority of State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units to investigate and prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medicaid Patient Abuse Prevention Act.

Clarifying authority of State Medicaid fraud and abuse control units to investigate and prosecute cases of Medicaid patient abuse and neglect in any setting

(a)

In general

Section 1903(q)(4)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(q)(4)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting after patients residing in board and care facilities the following: and of patients (who are receiving medical assistance under the State plan under this title) in a noninstitutional or other setting.

(b)

Availability of funding

Section 1903(a)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)(6)) is amended, in the matter following subparagraph (B), by striking (as found necessary by the Secretary for the elimination of fraud in the provision and administration of medical assistance provided under the State plan).