Minnesota Lawmakers Address Medicaid Fraud After Tragedy

Minnesota lawmakers reconvened following the assassination of House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the shooting of Senator John Hoffman, focusing on Medicaid fraud prevention. The House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, now with a GOP majority, heard from DHS Inspector General James Clark, who highlighted that Minnesota's Medicaid improper payment rate is 2.2%, amounting to over $400 million annually with nearly 1,000 open fraud investigations. Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged the emotional toll of the recent violence but emphasized the necessity of continued oversight, especially for the nearly $20 billion Medicaid program. Proposals for a statewide inspector general's office for fraud prevention have stalled in the House, underscoring political divisions. The committee discussed the need for better whistleblower protections, improvements to fraud detection, and questions about Medicaid eligibility and spending. Their work proceeds as both a tribute to lost colleagues and a commitment to safeguarding critical public resources.