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House passes bill to bolster enforcement against Medicaid fraud
Summary
The House passed a bill to strengthen enforcement of medical assistance (Medicaid) fraud, including new investigators, stiffer penalties and a broader definition of fraud; an amendment narrowing subpoena powers and moving the appropriation to the general fund to unlock a federal 3-to-1 match was adopted. The amendment passed 134-0; final passage was 118-16.
The House passed a bill to increase enforcement against medical assistance (Medicaid) fraud, adopting an amendment that narrows subpoena powers and moves the appropriation to the general fund so the state can secure a federal 3-to-1 match.
Representative Norris (Anoka), the bill’s author on the floor, said the measure seeks to curb schemes that “steal from hardworking taxpayers across Minnesota” and to protect money meant to provide care to low-income Minnesotans. He told colleagues the bill does three main things: hire more investigators and prosecutors, stiffen penalties for Medicaid fraud and expand the legal definition to cover more sophisticated schemes.
Norris also described a funding mechanism the bill enables, saying the state would receive a “three to one match from the federal government” for each dollar contributed to the Medicaid fraud control unit. To unlock that match, the amendment narrows the bill’s subpoena language, moves the appropriation to the general fund and incorporates technical cross-reference fixes recommended by nonpartisan staff.
Representative Schumacher (Rock) told the chamber the bill had been vetted in multiple committee hearings and discussed with the attorney general’s office, and urged members to support the measure as a tool to “root out fraud.” Representative Niska led the floor request to proceed to a roll call on the amendment.
The A11 amendment was adopted by voice/roll call, recorded as 134 yeas and 0 nays. On final passage after third reading, the House recorded 118 yeas and 16 nays and the presiding officer announced the bill passed as amended.
The author closed by thanking bipartisan co-authors and staff who assisted in drafting and advancing the bill. The record does not specify an effective date or further procedural steps for enactment on the floor transcript.
