Representative Matthew Shepherd

Boys State — June 1, 2012 (1:44:29)

i'd just like to ask the question that even

Boys State — June 1, 2012 (55:03)

Although at this very moment we haven't debated on how much marijuana is to be given to the patients or the doctor checks or anything, one thing that we do have to consider is right now our national debt is over $16 trillion. dollars, this could be used as a way to somewhat alleviate said debt and bring our economy out of the hole. Thank you. He

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:11:02)

You're voting on the bills and the emergency

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:10:10)

Bill 28 through Senate Bill 620.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:06:42)

I think that's in recognition of the fact that they're reporting a significant

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:07:05)

of the bill. Anyone wish to speak against the bill or the bill? Not

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:06:08)

hope that if someone reports fraud that their job wouldn't be in jeopardy or that they could continue to work in whatever their chosen field is. But the fact of the matter is, when you're talking about, in this case, removing the cap, that would be, we're talking about fraud in excess of a million dollars, that may not go over too well when that person blows the whistle. So I think it's in our state's best interest to encourage people to report that. And if we're compensating them at 10%, which is already what's in the law, we're just removing the cap,

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:05:17)

but I would point out that this would provide the whistleblower in those cases where it's very significant fraud, allow them to recover an amount in excess of what would have been the case under present law.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:04:18)

that issue came up in House Judiciary, and I believe Representative Nichols asked about that because at one point I think there was some retaliation protection in the bill, but the parties involved in this came together and agreed to take that out. As I recall Senator Hutchinson's testimony in judiciary, there was the belief that there are other laws, federal or state, that would provide protection regardless of what we're doing here.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:03:29)

how much is returned to the state or the

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:02:49)

And so I think that it's to encourage people to report that. And I understand the concern that a $100,000 reward is very significant. But by the same token, I think Medicaid fraud is a very significant issue and problem. And certainly, it's in the state's best interest to encourage people to come forward and report that. Well,

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:02:27)

like $100,000 is a pretty good reward Well Well, I haven't talked to Senator Hutchinson about all the ins and outs, but I would think that with regard to Medicaid fraud, that there is a potential, it's basically 10% of the recovery. And so if we were going to make a reward in excess of $100,000, that would be a very significant amount of fraud.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:01:56)

start an explanation of the bill. Anyone wishing to speak against the bill? I'm sorry, Representative Hobbs That's

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:01:48)

It's my understanding that all the interested parties are agreeable to this bill.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (1:01:32)

emergency. Representative Shepard, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 838 by Senator Hutchinson eliminates the cap on the reward that can be paid for, that's paid based on information regarding Medicaid fraud.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (49:35)

For the bill? Representative Cowling, what purpose? Motion. What's your motion? Immediate consideration, please, sir.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (34:08)

purpose? Motion. What? Media consideration. Representative Garner still has floor. I'm not going to take that

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (12:50)

vote. Thank you. Representative Garner has closed with a

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (12:59)

Resolution 5 fail. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk.

Meeting — April 1, 2011 (10:16)

reconsider. Okay. Thank you. If we expunge, it revives the bill. It's alive again.