Medicaid fraud costs taxpayers too much

The July 22 article, “Medicaid savings in millions,” makes a strong case for a single-payer, universal health-care system. Eliminating waste, fraud and inefficiency would go a long way toward making it possible. It is difficult for me, a retired accountant, to classify these Medicaid funds as savings. Recovering overpayments to vendors is no savings.

The article is not clear as to the actual dollar amount the state will receive, but it appears that Iowa will recover

$9.2 million and not

$23 million. In any case, Iowa is among the smaller population states.

Take whichever figure you wish, $23 million or $9.2 million, and multiply times 50 states and you come up with a lot of money. Then factor in the larger-population states and this number becomes much larger. This is hundreds of millions or more nationwide that are being paid on double billing, double paying or incorrectly being spent. This all happens because there are two, three or more entities involved in making one payment for service.

Dell Fossum

Decorah