WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) announced the introduction of a resolution expressing support for continued efforts to safeguard Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs from waste, fraud, and abuse through strengthened program integrity measures, enhanced oversight, and coordinated enforcement actions. The resolution also recognizes the work of the Trump administration and congressional Republicans to investigate and prosecute fraud.
“For far too long, fraud has run rampant through our federal health care programs, stealing billions of taxpayer dollars from hardworking Americans,” said Rep. Finstad. “I am proud to introduce this resolution that expresses Congress’ support for ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs from bad actors who are personally profiting on the taxpayers’ dime.”
Finstad continued, “Just this week, the Department of Justice charged 15 people for alleged schemes that defrauded Minnesota Medicaid programs of $90 million. It is high time we put an end to this waste, fraud, and abuse, and restore integrity in our federally funded programs.”
“Congressman Finstad has been a leader in exposing the billions stolen from our federal health care programs, including the rampant fraud in Minnesota. The RSC is committed to cracking down on every criminal who robs taxpayers through Medicare and Medicaid fraud. This is theft, plain and simple. I am proud to cosponsor this resolution and support the Trump administration’s aggressive actions to hold bad actors accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger.
This resolution was cosponsored by Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02), Tom Barrett (MI-07), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Mary Miller (IL-15), August Pfluger (TX-11), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Dave Taylor (OH-02), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Daniel Webster (FL-11).
Background:
- According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimated more than $100 billion in improper Medicare and Medicaid payments in fiscal year 2023, representing approximately 43 percent of all government-wide improper payments reported that year.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that improper payments across Medicare and Medicaid totaled tens of billions of dollars in fiscal year 2025.
- CMS reported that the Medicaid improper payment rate for fiscal year 2025 was above 6 percent, representing more than $37 billion in improper payments.
- In July of 2025, Rep. Finstad sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., requesting a formal investigation into Medicaid fraud within the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the State of Minnesota’s failure to responsibly administer these programs.
- On February 25th, 2026, CMS announced they were halting $259 million in Medicaid dollars to the state of Minnesota following an audit conducted during the fourth quarter of the previous federal fiscal year. The audit found $234.8 million in unsupported or possibly fraudulent Medicaid claims and $15.4 million in claims involving individuals lacking a satisfactory immigration status.
