WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today announced a total of $242,072 in federal funding to the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services for Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program projects. The program aims to protect seniors from healthcare fraud and abuse through education and training that increases awareness and understanding of healthcare programs.

“Senior services have always been a top priority of mine – as West Virginia’s former Governor and now still as U.S. Senator,” Senator Manchin said. “Our seniors helped build this nation and we have an obligation to them that we must never break. An important part of that obligation is making sure seniors are protected from health care fraud and abuse that threatens their quality of life and also costs the U.S. billions of dollars annually. This funding will help combat this national problem and ensure West Virginia’s seniors have the resources they need to stay secure and independent.”

“West Virginia’s Senior Medicare Patrol Program plays an important role in safeguarding seniors from Medicare fraud. This funding will enable the program to continue protecting Medicare from fraud, waste and abuse, and ensuring West Virginia’s seniors have access to the care they need,” said Senator Capito.

The funding is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living/Center for Consumer Access and Self-Determination (CCASD).

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