EXCLUSIVE: New Bill Could Force Blue States To Fight Healthcare Fraud
Politics
EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Rick Scott Is Moving To Ensure Blue States Have To Fight Medicaid Fraud
(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Lucy Spence Contributor June 25, 2026 11:59 AM ET June 25, 2026 11:59 AM ET Lucy Spence Contributor Font Size:Congress is ramping up its efforts to combat healthcare fraud in states reluctant to comply with fraud-recovery programs, the Daily Caller learned.
A bicameral bill introduced Thursday closes loopholes in the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program, forcing states to cooperate with federal efforts to tackle healthcare fraud. (RELATED: Obamacare Enrollment Fraud May Cost Taxpayers Billions In 2026, New Study Shows)
The “Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026,” introduced by Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Republican Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis, “closes loopholes” in the 2010 Medicaid RAC program “so all states participate in the RAC program, and expands the Medicaid RACs improper payment review authority ensuring waste and fraud don’t slip through the cracks,” according to a press release first obtained by the Caller.
Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026
Congress created a pilot program in Medicare for contractors to eliminate fraud in 2003, raking in $1.03 billion in fraud within three years. The program was expanded to Medicaid in 2010.
Despite the expansion, Medicaid still paid $37 billion in improper payments in 2025 alone. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) allows states an exemption from the program, either in full or in part.
According to CMS, “states have considerable flexibility regarding the design, procurement, and operation of their RAC programs.”
The RAC Improvement Act requires that all states submit “annual, detailed reporting from a State with an approved RAC exception […] that includes an overview of the State’s Medicaid RAC program, including methodologies and justifications for audit limits or exclusions applied under the program,” the text of the bill reads.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has placed Medicaid on its “High Risk List” for programs, “with serious vulnerabilities to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement.”
GAO found that 35 states and the District of Columbia were not participating in the Medicaid RAC program in 2021.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General found in June that California received at least $13.9 million more in Medicaid reimbursements than federal and state requirements allowed. A House review ranked the blue state second for Medicaid fraud in 2022, behind Texas. (RELATED: California Faces Election Fraud Investigations Amid Major Vote Count Delays)
The Justice Department charged 455 defendants with over $6.5 billion in alleged Medicaid fraud in its “2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown,” announced Tuesday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the Takedown the “greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 14: California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the “Election Rigging Response Act” at a press conference at the Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum on August 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom spoke about a possible California referendum on redistricting to counter the legislative effort to add five Republican House seats in the state of Texas. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Senate Committee on Aging Chairman Scott said in the RAC Improvement Act press release, “When waste, fraud, and abuse siphon off resources from programs that hardworking Americans rely on, it hurts everyone. We’re seeing it happen in real time, from Ohio to California, and all while our country has $40 trillion in debt, we can’t afford to be handing out a single dime in bad payments.”
“This bill will add oversight to Medicaid, ensuring resources are going to the people who need it the most—not fraudsters who scam the system,” the chairman added.
Rep. Bilirakis explained the act “strengthens transparency, accountability, and oversight so we can better safeguard taxpayer resources while preserving the integrity of this essential program. Protecting Medicaid’s integrity is not only about safeguarding taxpayer dollars — it is about ensuring the program remains strong and sustainable for the individuals and families who depend on it.”
Ashley Brasfield contributed to this report.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
