June 19, 2006  

 

Granger Introduces Social Security Legislation to Protect Personal Information of Veterans, Medicare Recipients

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) last week reintroduced the Social Security Number Privacy and Protection Act (H.R. 5636). The bill would require the federal government to remove social security numbers from Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program (children's Medicaid) and Veterans' health care cards.

"Having a social security number visible on a health care or identification card poses an unnecessary risk to an individual's personal information. This bill would remove that threat from ever being realized," said Congresswoman Granger. 

Granger's bill comes on the heels of a recent computer theft from the home of a Veterans Affairs employee. The stolen computer contained the personal information of over 26.5 million veterans that could be used to gain access to everything from bank accounts to health information.

Granger added, "With all the technological advances we have these days, there's no need to put Americans' personal information in jeopardy. Why not remove these risks and protect people when and where you can?"

Granger's bill would also require the Selective Service to develop a new registration card that protects the registrant's social security number and would encourage private insurance companies to remove social security numbers from their identification cards.

Granger serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. She also serves as a Deputy Majority Whip. Granger is the first and only female Republican to serve in the Texas House delegation. Granger represents the 12th District of Texas and is currently serving her fifth term in Congress.