Obama's high-tech bounty hunters -- can this squad of waste, fraud and abuse detectives save healthcare? [Updated]

After 18 months of talking, drafting and voting, Democrats find their backs against the wall on what was supposed to be the signature achievement of their reign, with nary a Republican vote in their pocket for healthcare reform.

As the Capitol readies for an epic showdown, the Congressional Budget Office is calculating how much the bill will cost -- which could provide talking points for the bill's critics. The Senate parliamentarian is drafting a paper to explain the arcane procedure called reconciliation, which could make Vice President Joe Biden, who technically presides over the Senate, a key player. Tea Party activists are descending to lobby wavering moderates against the measure, while Democratic organizers are -- some would say finally -- fighting back with rallies to support it.

President Obama, meanwhile, is doing what he does best: taking his populist campaign-mode vigor back on the road.

And this time, as he delivers another sleeves-rolled-up stump speech at St. Charles High School near St. Louis today, he's got a new pitch that could finally produce some bipartisan agreement. The idea: Get rid of waste and fraud -- estimated to cost $54 billion last year -- by hiring private auditors who, using high-tech computers, could scan Medicaid billing data for patterns of phony claims. The bounty hunters would get a fee, taxpayers would get relief, and a lot fewer seniors would be riding around in those motorized wheelchairs that give them an excuse not to exercise their bones and muscles.

Obama's also directing his Cabinet officers to step up their use of the accounting bounty hunters.

[Updated at 9:55 a.m.: Rooting out waste, fraud and abuse is a perennial favorite among Republicans, so they were quick to dismiss this latest Obama charm offensive. “Tackling fraud and abuse is one of the issues that can and should form the basis of a bipartisan, step-by-step approach to healthcare reform," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor Wednesday, "not as a hook to drag this monstrous bill over the finish line."]

Kind of makes you wonder why the Democrats didn't think of this sooner.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Getty Images

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Comments

[ducatidave]

yeah, so let's just let the tea-bagger movement run the country then

[YO]

The majority americans do not want this healthcare bill. The repubs are not stopping Obamacare, the demos are. They control both the house and senate, but so far, not enough of them are voting. Some of them also see problems with some parts of this bill. Who knows what is in this over 2000 page healthcare bill, have read it and understand it? The president doesn't know. When it comes to bills, all he do is sign them.

[linda]

I have simple, working solution for health care: all person 18 years or older will be given a choice ( a signature required decision statement could be mailed with the census) to either decline all state/federal health care for life in which case they will lose any eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid or any other public program but will be allowed to create health care savings account. From that point on these individuals will be responsible for any and all health care they will ever need. No government help, regulation, price control or any government program will ever apply to them. They will not be required to pay anything towards Medicare. If they already had, the money will be returned to them with expenses paid deducted.
The rest of us will form our own federal group that will pay into the health care pool and contract with health care providers directly.
This is free choice for all.

[Johnthreesixteentoeighteen]

Linda … i respectfully say that your solution misses something — government control. That's all this is about. So, they wouldn't want this solution. How can this even be about health care when it doesn't take effect until 2013? I left a country with government run health care. It worked great! IF you worked for the government and could fly outside of the country for specialized treatment. The rest could not get simple medicines! They have to ration (and decide who lives and who dies). There's no other way. The President, Vice President and Congress want no participation the plan they have cooked up for us. Call anyone/everyone in the House of Representatives and tell them to vote No on this alleged health care bill. Thank you.

[Sour Grapes]

yeah, so let's just let the tea-bagger movement run the country then

Posted by: ducatidave | March 10, 2010 at 09:39 AM

Yes, I agree at least WE'LL do it by the CONSTITUTION or haven't you ever heard of it, hmmmm, apparently not!

[William C. Bradshaw]

The desperate efforts of President Obama, Princess Pelosi and Fearful Harry Reid bring forth this quote: "There are many monuments in Washington --- and many people who confuse themselves with those monuments."

Pelosi wants the strict compliance of her Democrat colleagues --- even at the risk of their political futures. How egregriously selfish!

Don't Cry for Me, Argentina?
Don't Cry for Me, America?

William C. Bradshaw

[Sandra Milton]

It is sad that 'fraud' denotes 'monetary' vs cost of human life and suffering. Will high-techs investigate iatrogenic hidden fraud against Medicare Beneficiaries? No one in position to protect them from harm will (from the DPH to QIO to Joint Commission,etc. right up to the OIG). Iatrogenic fraud victims have no rights and receive no justice yet Medicare is reimbursed at their expense.