How do we as citizens change medicaid/medicare abuse?

Question

As a nurse and a citizen in a small town I see people constantly abusing government help such as medicaid/medicare and welfare. I know a married woman who quit working so her family could "afford" to live in the new apartments (government housing). A 13 year old girl has told me her mother wanted her to have a baby so they can get more money. Married couples that are living together file as seperated on their taxes to reap the benifits of single parents. Married women lie and say they are seperated so they can qualify for medicaid so they can have free labor and delivery. People constantly use the EMERGENCY room as a free clinic because they don't want to wait in line at the clinic for a Rx for thier runny nose. Is there a possibility I can gather facts and statistics, present them to a government employee that can make a change? And Why isn't the government noticing the abuse and making these people go back to work or fining them for their lies?
It is hard workers who pay for this.

Answer 1

Start from scratch, but find better ways to detect fraud, and prosecute fraudulent claims by doctors and hospitals.

Answer 2

Anyone who wants medical care from the federal government could easily show his Social Security card. The hospital could check the income tax returns to see if the cardholder is truly "poor". If (s)he genuinely can't afford to pay for medical care, (s)he gets free treatment. If (s)he makes $130,000 a year, let them pay for it themselves.
-RKO- 04/17/07