A Republican bill with 5 Republican cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Helping Encourage Lawful Payments and Strengthen Transparency, Anti-fraud, Tips, and Enforcement Strategies Act, or the HELP STATES Act. It aims to change how overpayments under the Medicaid program are handled. Specifically, it amends title XIX of the Social Security Act. The bill allows states to keep a larger share of certain overpayments recovered due to fraud. States must use these kept funds for program integrity activities. Additionally, states are required to report annually on how they used those funds.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates that states report annually to the Secretary on how they utilize the recovered overpayment funds.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?
The bill allows states to retain a larger share of recovered Medicaid overpayments to fund program integrity and anti-fraud activities.
- Scored +3
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The legislation provides states with increased flexibility and a greater share of recovered Medicaid overpayments for local program integrity.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 allows a state to exclude up to 25 percent of the pro rata share of recovered fraud overpayments from being adjusted by the United States, giving the state more resources to fight fraud.
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Section 2 requires that these kept amounts be used by the state for program integrity activities, which can include audits, investigations, data analysis, and investments in information technology systems to improve the detection and prevention of improper payments.
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Section 2 requires states to report to the Secretary at least annually on how they used these recovered amounts, ensuring accountability for the funds.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline potential negative impacts, consequences, or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that states report annually to the Secretary on how they utilize the recovered overpayment funds. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The legislation provides states with increased flexibility and a greater share of recovered Medicaid overpayments for local program integrity.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program ensures that resources remain available for low-income individuals who rely on the program. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improving Medicaid program integrity and reducing fraud helps preserve resources for eligible beneficiaries, including seniors.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances program integrity and accountability by requiring states to report annually on the use of retained fraud recovery funds. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill allows states to retain a portion of recovered Medicaid fraud overpayments, which can reduce federal outlays by improving program integrity.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill allows states to retain a larger share of recovered Medicaid overpayments to fund program integrity and anti-fraud activities.
- 9/28/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Robert BresnahanRepublican · Pennsylvania
Young KimRepublican · California
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
David ValadaoRepublican · California
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia