Senate Takes Step to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud

Attorney General Bill McCollum and law enforcement could soon have a bigger stick to crack down on Medicaid fraud.

On Monday afternoon, the Florida Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 8, which will coordinate efforts and focus resources on detecting and deterring Medicaid fraud. It also adds resources for tackling public assistance fraud.

"None of our state's limited resources should ever wind up enriching those who would prey on our friends and neighbors receiving Medicaid," said Sen. Joe Negron, R-Port St. Lucie, the bill's sponsor.

The legislation now moves to the House for its approval.