Committee advances bill expanding Attorney General unit's powers to probe medical assistance fraud

The Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee advanced House File 2,354 on April 2, moving the bill to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. The bill would expand the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit's investigative authority, including new subpoena powers for financial records, and make conforming prosecutorial and venue changes for a revised medical assistance fraud statute.

The bill's sponsor, Representative Norris, told the committee that the measure aims to protect taxpayer-funded healthcare programs. "Medical assistance fraud steals from hardworking taxpayers across Minnesota. It also steals money meant to provide healthcare to low income Minnesotans," Representative Norris said. He said the bill is designed to give the Attorney General's office the tools needed to pursue provider fraud.

Nick Wonka, director of Minnesota's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Attorney General's Office, testified in support and…