With the federal debt at $14 trillion and climbing, Congress needs to do everything in its power to save money for one of our most important programs, Medicare. The US Department of Justice reports that the Medicare program suffers more than $60 billion in fraud every year through practices like phantom billing and durable medical equipment fraud. We can cut over half of that – upwards of $30 billion – by simply modernizing the Medicare card.

The upgraded Medicare smart card would verify the eligibility of patients to receive services and of providers to bill Medicare for them. At the doctor’s office, the card would provide for an electronic agreement between the patient and the healthcare provider – verifying that Medicare can be billed. Simple.

As if saving Medicare $30 billion a year isn’t enough of an incentive, there are other benefits to upgrading the card. For instance, seniors’ privacy will be protected by taking the Social Security number off the front of the card and into the card’s on-board computer chip. Further, all patient’s personal information will be secured by an individualized PIN number and locked down with strong encryption.

Over the years, Medicare has saved countless Americans. Isn’t it time we return the favor? Contact your Member of Congress today and demand they upgrade the card.

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• Medicare Common Access Card Pilot