House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer told Newsmax on Wednesday that congressional investigators are preparing to expand their examination of alleged Medicaid fraud beyond Ohio, arguing that abuses exist in every state and promising increased scrutiny of providers accused of billing taxpayers for services never performed.
“We’ve already seen what’s happening in Minnesota and California with the Medicaid and welfare fraud in those states. Now we’re expanding to Ohio, and we’re going to keep expanding to other states, because this is a problem in all 50 states.”
Comer made the comments on Newsmax’s “National Report” ahead of a House Oversight task force hearing on alleged fraud in Ohio’s Medicaid waiver program. The hearing focused on allegations that providers billed Medicaid for personal care services that were never delivered.
The Kentucky Republican said investigators are focusing on providers licensed to participate in Medicaid who allegedly submit claims without performing services.
“What we’re finding and what we’re going to focus on today are providers, people who are registered and licensed to be providing Medicaid services, but they’re not providing any services,” Comer said. “They’re only billing Medicaid. And this is a huge problem that’s costing the taxpayers, and it’s hurting the Medicaid program in all 50 states.”
The hearing comes as Republicans intensify oversight of Medicaid spending and fraud prevention efforts.
According to the House Oversight Committee, the Ohio inquiry centers on the state’s Home and Community-Based Services waiver program, which pays caregivers and providers for services such as household assistance and personal care. Committee Republicans have cited reports alleging more than $1 billion in potential fraud within the program.
Comer also praised whistleblowers who have come forward with information about alleged abuses.
“Absolutely. And we’re having more whistleblowers come forward now,” Comer said. “These people have been sounding the alarm for years, but nobody’s been serious about doing anything about the fraud.”
The Kentucky Republican argued that state officials have not always aggressively pursued fraud because Medicaid is largely funded by the federal government while administered by states.
Looking ahead, Comer suggested the committee’s investigation could soon broaden beyond Ohio and New York.
“We’re requesting information in New York. We’re requesting information in other states. We’re probably about to request information in Kentucky, which is a huge Medicaid state,” he said.
Comer said accountability must extend beyond administrative penalties.
“Hopefully with the Department of Justice and with Vice President Vance’s fraud task force, we’re going to start seeing some of these people prosecuted because if people aren’t prosecuted, if they’re not held accountable, they’re going to continue to do it,” he said. “Simply removing their license or canceling them from the Medicaid program, that’s not going to stop them.”
Comer also said investigators are finding that alleged abuse is not limited to individual bad actors.
“One of the interesting things that we’re seeing here, it’s not just fraudsters,” he said. “It’s also private equity. This is a massive industry, the fraud industry in the Medicaid program in America.”
The House task force hearing featured testimony from Ohio officials and investigative reporter Luke Rosiak as lawmakers examined vulnerabilities in Medicaid waiver programs and explored reforms aimed at preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars.
