WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 -- Sen. Susan Collins issued the following press release:

As troubling new reports detail alleged fraud, abuse, and inadequate oversight involving MaineCare providers, U.S. Senator Susan Collins has introduced the Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act to combat similar vulnerabilities in the Medicare home health program by stopping fraudulent payments before they are made.

The legislation would provide the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with stronger tools to identify high-risk providers, authorize additional funding to investigate and prosecute organized schemes, and protect legitimate home health agencies from the financial consequences of payments made to fraudulent providers. S...