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Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act
To increase the penalties for health care fraud, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill increases criminal penalties for health care fraud offenses. Prison sentences for health care fraud under federal law are increased from a maximum of 10 years to 25 years, and from 20 years to 30 years in cases with aggravating circumstances. Fines for violations related to federal health care programs are increased, with amounts raised from $100,000 to $250,000. The bill requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update sentencing guidelines for health care fraud to reflect the seriousness of these offenses and ensure they serve as an effective deterrent.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL] (R-FL)
Actions (2)
- Jan 7, 2026 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. · senate
- Jan 7, 2026 Introduced in Senate
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 7, 2026
Mrs. Moody introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To increase the penalties for health care fraud, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act”.
SEC. 2. INCREASED PENALTIES FOR HEALTH CARE FRAUD UNDER TITLE 18.
(a) In General.—Section 1347 of title 18, United States Code, is amended, in the flush matter preceding subsection (b)—
(1) by striking “10 years” and inserting “25 years”; and
(2) by striking “20 years” and inserting “30 years”.
(b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to acts occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. INCREASED CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR ACTS INVOLVING FEDERAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.—Section 1128B of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b) is amended—
(1) by striking “$100,000” each place it appears and inserting “$250,000”;
(2) by striking “10 years” each place it appears and inserting “25 years”;
(3) in subsection (a), in the flush matter following paragraph (6), by striking “$20,000” and inserting “$100,000”; and
(4) in subsection (e)—
(A) by striking “$4,000” and inserting “$100,000”; and
(B) by striking “six months” and inserting “1 year”.
(b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to acts occurring and statements or representations made on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES SENTENCING GUIDELINES.
(a) Covered Offense Defined.—In this section, the term “covered offense” means—
(1) an offense under section 1347 of title 18, United States Code; and
(2) an offense under section 1128B of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b).
(b) Review.—Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and, if appropriate, amend its guidelines and its policy statements applicable to persons convicted of a covered offense.
(c) Requirements.—In carrying out this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall—
(1) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy statements reflect the seriousness of covered offenses, the growing incidence of covered offenses, and the need for an effective deterrent and appropriate punishment to prevent covered offenses;
(2) consider relevant factors and the extent to which the guidelines may or may not account for those factors, including—
(A) the potential and actual loss resulting from the covered offense, including the qualitative impact of the loss on each victim of the covered offense;
(B) the level of sophistication and planning involved in the covered offense;
(C) whether the covered offense was committed for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial benefit;
(D) whether, in committing the covered offense, the defendant acted with intent to cause harm, including physical, psychological, and emotional harm;
(E) the extent to which the covered offense resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of personal health information or violated the privacy rights of individuals harmed;
(F) whether the violation was intended to create or had the effect of creating a threat to public health or safety or a threat of injury to any person; and
(G) the role of the defendant in the covered offense and the duration of the covered offense;
(3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant directives and with other sentencing guidelines;
(4) account for any additional aggravating or mitigating circumstances that might justify exceptions to the generally applicable sentencing ranges;
(5) make any necessary conforming changes to the sentencing guidelines; and
(6) ensure that the guidelines adequately meet the purposes of sentencing as set forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code. <all>
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