Senate Finance panel rejects GOP plan to require photo ID for govt health care benefits

Senators reject photo ID for health care benefits

WASHINGTON — Senators working on a health overhaul have rejected a Republican move to require photo identification for federal health benefits.

Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said his amendment would have helped cut fraud in health care programs for low-income people. It would have required applicants to present a government-issued ID when applying for Medicaid or the children’s health care program.

But Democrats said unscrupulous medical providers — not beneficiaries — are usually the ones responsible for fraud. They said current ID requirements for beneficiaries are strong enough. The vote was 13-10, against the amendment.