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Committee advances human‑services program‑integrity finance bill with prepayment reviews and stronger oversight
Summary
The House Ways and Means Committee adopted an A21 amendment and voted to refer House File 43‑38, a human‑services finance bill focused on program integrity, to the general register. Sponsors said the bill tightens provider screening, site visits and claims review to reduce fraud while preserving continuity of care.
Chair Torkoson opened consideration of House File 43‑38, the human‑services finance bill sponsored by Representative Schoemaker, and the committee adopted the A21 amendment to the bill.
Representative Schoemaker moved the bill as amended and asked nonpartisan staff to walk members through technical provisions. Nonpartisan staff Adrienne said the bill as amended “spends an additional $17,000,000 in the 2627 biennium” and “in the 2028, 2029 biennium, it generates savings of just under $160,000,000.”
Representative Noor, who helped shape the package, described the measure as a bipartisan effort to “restore the trust” in public programs and to prevent fraud through tighter enrollment, risk‑based screening, site visits and strengthened recovery authority. “This bill says fraud prevention must be stronger,” Noor said, and outlined measures for prepayment review, enhanced eligibility screening and sanctions when there is credible evidence of fraud.
Supporters said the bill is aimed at protecting both taxpayers and the continuity of care for beneficiaries. Representative Schoemaker stressed the bill is a continuing work in progress and asked for committee support to move it to the next procedural step. The committee approved the motion and referred HF 43‑38, as amended, to the general register by voice vote.
What happens next: HF 43‑38 will proceed to the general register for potential further floor consideration and additional amendment before any final enactment.
