Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) and Subcommittee Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) issued the following statements after the House passed H.R. 1509, the “Medicare Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2012.”  Their legislation, which passed late last evening, directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish cost-effective procedures to ensure that a Social Security number (SSN) is not displayed on the Medicare card.

Chairman Johnson: “This commonsense bill is a vital step in protecting our nation’s seniors from identity theft.  We can’t afford to put seniors at risk any longer, and I hope the Senate will act immediately to pass this legislation.”

Rep. Doggett: “With identity thieves becoming more sophisticated, a little prevention can save a lot of heartache.  Millions of Americans carry in their wallet or purse something that makes them needlessly more vulnerable to identity theft – it’s their Medicare card.  Seniors have spent a lifetime building their financial security.  Their savings and credit should not be put at risk if someone steals their Medicare card.”