House GOP Unveils Medicaid Whistleblower Bill After $90 Million Minnesota Fraud Scandal
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 5
House GOP Unveils Medicaid Whistleblower Bill After $90 Million Minnesota Fraud Scandal
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 5
Summary
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced the Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Act, creating federal safeguards for state and local Medicaid workers who report fraud, abuse, gross mismanagement or public-safety risks.
The bill follows allegations that Minnesota officials retaliated against employees who flagged fraud as early as 2019; a January letter from more than 30 current and former workers described surveillance, reassignment and termination.
Workers who face retaliation could win reinstatement, double back pay plus interest, attorneys' fees and punitive damages, while employers would be barred from firing, demoting, threatening or harassing them.
The measure is part of a 14-bill House Energy and Commerce GOP anti-fraud package after lawmakers scrutinized Medicaid officials from California, Ohio, Minnesota and New York over oversight failures.
Minnesota's case has become a central example: lawmakers cited more than $90 million in alleged fraudulent claims, while the broader push would take effect Jan. 1, 2028 amid a Trump administration anti-fraud crackdown.