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Committee adopts funding amendment for Medicaid fraud enforcement bill that aims to expand investigators
Summary
House File 23‑54 (Norris) was amended to provide ongoing special‑revenue funding for additional staff in the Medicaid fraud control unit, unlocking a 3:1 federal match, and was referred to the general register after committee adoption of the A9 amendment.
Chair Torkoson brought House File 23‑54 before the committee. Representative Norris explained the A9 amendment, which removes the measure from a broader human‑services package so it can travel as a standalone bill and makes conforming changes, including an appropriation funded through a special revenue fund to sustain additional positions.
Norris said the amendment would allow ongoing funding to hire more investigators and prosecutors in the Medicaid fraud control unit and thereby access a 3:1 federal matching ratio. "There's a 3 to 1 match on those dollars," Norris said, characterizing the staffing increase as cost‑effective. He also described expanded penalties and statute‑of‑limitations adjustments intended to improve prosecution of large, long‑running fraud schemes and to include medical‑assistance fraud in the state's racketeering coverage.
Members offered bipartisan remarks of support; Representative Clayborn and Representative Quinto thanked Norris for carrying the bill. The A9 amendment was adopted by voice vote and the committee referred HF 23‑54, as amended, to the general register.
