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Minutes for HB2217 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Expanding the scope of the inspector general to audit and investigate all state cash, food or health assistance programs and granting the inspector general the power to subpoena, administer oaths and execute search warrants thereto.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 10, 2025
Jenna Moyer, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2217 (Attachment 6).
Steven Anderson, Medicaid Inspector General, provided testimony in support of HB2217 (Attachment 7). The core mission of the Inspector General's Office is to identify fraud, waste, abuse, and illegal acts in the Medicaid program. This is achieved through audits, reviews, and investigations. A chart of every audit completed since 2021 was provided to the committee. The requested revisions to K.S.A 75-7427 will also allow investigations of cash and food assistance programs that have a severe lack of oversight. The goals of the changes were reviewed. The three programs affected and their FY2024 expenditures were described. The three programs are essential to taking care of Kansans who need it most. Another benefit of expanding the OIG authority is handling internal employee investigations of DCF employees which is currently being handled by DCF. As the OIG exists today, over $330 million of fraud, waste, abuse, and savings have been identified. By extending the authority, the OIG can do even more to protect Kansas taxpayers.
Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee.
The following provided written only testimony in opposition:
Marc Altenbernt, General Counsel, Department for Children and Families (Attachment 8)
Heather Braum, Senior Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 9)
Andy Brown, Deputy Secretary of Programs, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (Attachment 10)
The hearing was closed.
