Sen. Mayer named to state seismic commission, and to special commitee investigating Medicaid fraud

State Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, has been appointed to the Seismic Safety Commission and to the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Medicaid Fraud.

Mayer was appointed to the Missouri Seismic Safety Commission by Governor Matt Blunt. The commission's task is to review the state of Missouri's earthquake preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery issues.

The commission would not be a first responder in the event of a manmade or natural disaster, nor would it play a major role in coordinating recovery operations. Rather, the purpose of the Seismic Safety Commission to make recommendations regarding earthquake planning and response to ensure Missouri is adequately prepared.

"I am honored Governor Blunt has asked me to serve on this important commission," Mayer said. "Much of the 25th Senate District, which I represent, lies directly along the New Madrid fault line, the epicenter of the great New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12. Preparing for the next 'big one' will help reduce fatalities, casualties, infrastructure losses and property damage."

The Missouri Seismic Safety Commission has five major objectives: to increase earthquake awareness and education; to reduce earthquake hazard through mitigation; to improve emergency response; to improve recovery; and to assess earthquake hazards.

The commission had been unable to meet for nearly a year because it lacked a quorum. Governor Blunt has made a number of recent appointments to the commission to ensure a quorum can be established. The Missouri Seismic Safety Commission meets twice a year.

The Senate Special Committee to Investigate Medicaid Fraud will investigate the issue of Medicaid fraud by private contractors within the Medicaid system and the possible over-billing of hundreds of millions of dollars at the expense of Missouri's disabled, elderly and poorest citizens by dishonest Medicaid providers, as reported by the Kansas City Star.

"These deeply disturbing reports, if true, represent an outrageous attack on the neediest citizens of our state," Mayer said. "At a time when lawmakers are having to make difficult decisions regarding the health care needs of the state's most vulnerable citizens, we learn that some of those entrusted with providing those services may have been lining their own pockets instead."

The Senate Special Committee to Investigate Medicaid Fraud is charged to investigate thoroughly the extent of fraud within the Medicaid system, forward information to the appropriate prosecuting authorities, and draft legislation to stop these crimes against the people of Missouri and the state's healthcare system.

The Kansas City Star reported on Sunday, Dec. 18, that "corrupt [Medicaid] billings could total $575 million a year in Missouri."

The committee is expected to begin hearings as early as the third week in January.

Mayer represents the 25th Senate District which includes Butler, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne counties.