The Trump administration's efforts to root out Medicaid fraud should continue despite political opposition because waste, abuse, and fraud are potentially costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars each year, Rep. Dan Meuser told Newsmax on Wednesday.
"We have some very serious challenges that we're facing," the Pennsylvania Republican said on Newsmax's "Wake Up America Early." "We have all of this fraud taking place on the American taxpayer, billions and billions of dollars. We're uncovering it. We're fighting it. We're using AI tools. We're investigating. We're putting resources to uncover it."
He added that the administration is intensifying investigations after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a pause on more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over concerns about suspected fraud and improper claims.
Meuser, chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, said officials have identified significant Medicaid payment error rates in multiple states and are working with HHS, the Treasury Department, and Vice President JD Vance's task force to investigate the issue.
He also criticized Democrats, accusing them of resisting efforts to eliminate government waste.
"What's very concerning is how the left is fighting us as we tackle and try to root out waste, abuse, and fraud," Meuser said.
Citing estimates from officials, including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Meuser said fraud could account for as much as 10% to 20% of federal spending, though he acknowledged investigations are ongoing.
Meuser also highlighted a consumer fraud and scams report his subcommittee planned to release Wednesday, calling the growing number of scams targeting Americans a major concern.
"The level of fraud, it's five times worse today than it was five years ago," he said. "Tens of billions of dollars are being scammed, and people are being defrauded."
The congressman said the report outlines a broader strategy that includes stronger coordination among federal agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector, along with proposed legislation to increase criminal penalties for fraud.
Meuser said many scams originate overseas, alleging that organized criminal operations based in Southeast Asia, including areas linked to China, are targeting Americans through sophisticated phone and online schemes.
He said Congress also will examine ways to improve international extradition efforts and work with telecommunications companies to better identify calls originating from overseas.
Meuser urged Americans to remain cautious when receiving suspicious calls or messages, advising them to hang up and contact a verified phone number or law enforcement if something appears unusual.
"People have just got to be very, very cautious," he said.
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