Acting on serious allegations that an Obamacare Processing Center in his congressional district is abusing taxpayer dollars, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) has enlisted other member of the Missouri Delegation to send a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking answers about the situation.

In a letter today to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, Luetkemeyer asked a series of questions regarding the Serco facility to learn more about CMS’ role in the contracting and oversight of this operation which processes applications for the health care exchanges established under the president’s healthcare law known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Also signing the letter were Missouri U.S. Reps. Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Billy Long, Ann Wagner and Jason Smith.

Luetkemeyer, whose 3^rd District includes Wentzville, has also been in contact with House committees with jurisdiction over CMS to determine whether or not a congressional investigation is in order.

“As Members of Congress, it is our obligation to seek answers to the numerous questions these reports have raised about waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars in connection with this contract and the PPACA. It is imperative that we fully understand the role of CMS and any potential role played by the Department of Health and Human Services in this matter,” the letter said. “This is particularly true given our understanding that this same company is under investigation by the government of the United Kingdom for similar accusations centered on overbilling of government contracts.”

Specifically, Luetkemeyer and his colleagues want details about the nature of the Serco contract and its structure including compensation the company was to receive based on the number of employees working rather than amount of work to be done or employees needed to meet applicant demand. Also sought is information on historical Serco staffing levels at all federally contracted Serco facilities including Wentzville and reports or other information stemming from any CMS staff visit to Serco facilities indicating whether or not any oversight or action against Serco was or has been taken.  Luetkemeyer and his colleagues have requested that CMS answer their questions by the end of May.