Key Takeaways:
- Centralized Anti-Fraud Initiative. A new task force was created to coordinate enforcement across federal benefits programs.
- Upfront Controls and Oversight. There will be an increased focus on eligibility verification, pre-payment safeguards and data sharing.
- Consequences for Inadequate Controls. There is potential for federal funds to be withheld from states lacking adequate controls.
- Heightened Enforcement Risk. The DOJ will focus on False Claims Act enforcement which may drive increased qui tam activity.
On March 16, 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud (Task Force) across federal benefits programs. The Task Force is to lead government-wide efforts to strengthen oversight of programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance and other federally funded benefits.
The Task Force will be housed within the…
Insurance fraud involves making false or exaggerated claims to an insurance provider.
- Hard Fraud: Someone deliberately causes a loss (e.g., setting fire to a warehouse or staging a car accident) specifically to collect a payout.
- Soft Fraud: More common and often viewed as “victimless” by the perpetrator. It involves exaggerating a legitimate claim, such as overstating the value of stolen items in a home burglary to cover the deductible.