WASHINGTON (TNND) -- Lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee are raising alarms about widespread fraud in government assistance programs, warning that billions in taxpayer dollars may be lost each year -- and could be contributing to higher costs for American families.
During a hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers and their witnesses examined fraud in federally funded, state-administered programs such as Medicaid, SNAP benefits and unemployment insurance.
"Is there fraud in federally funded state-run programs? Absolutely," said Robert Westbrooks, a former federal inspector general. "It's where the money is and fraudsters don't sufficiently fear getting caught."
The hearing highlighted several high-profile cases, including the $250 million "Feeding Our Future" scheme in Minnesota and a $100 million welfare scandal in Mississippi. Lawmakers said those cases may represent only a fraction of the problem.
In Kentucky, State Auditor Allison Ball testified her office uncovered more than $1 billion in waste, fraud and abuse in just over two years. Among the findings: deceased individuals are still listed on Medicaid rolls and multiple people are using the same Social Security number to receive benefits.
"This is a nonpartisan issue," said Ball. "If we take waste fraud and abuse seriously, we can ensure that every family gets the needed assistance without breaking the backs of American taxpayers."
Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer criticized what he described as a lack of urgency among some state and local leaders.
"There's just an attitude that it's no big deal," Comer said. "It's government money, it comes down like mana from heaven."
A new poll from the State Financial Officers Foundation suggests the issue is resonating with the public. The survey found 87% of Americans are concerned about fraud or misuse of taxpayer dollars, and 83% believe it contributes to higher taxes and rising costs.
OJ Oleka, the organization's CEO, said those concerns cut across political and demographic lines.
"The American people feel it," Oleka said in an interview. "They are tying fraud and wasteful spending to the affordability crisis."
Federal and state officials are also pointing to ongoing enforcement efforts. In California, authorities recently charged 21 people in connection with a $267 million hospice fraud scheme. Separately, Vice President JD Vance's anti-fraud task force announced it has suspended hundreds of hospice and home health providers amid a broader investigation involving more than $600 million in suspected fraud.
Lawmakers say new legislation introduced Wednesday -- the Fraud Accountability and Prevention Act -- aims to stop improper payments before taxpayer dollars are distributed.