HELP STATES Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
Introduced
Summary
Would let states keep up to 25% of certain Medicaid overpayment recoveries to fund fraud detection and prevention. The change would phase in beginning 18 months after enactment and requires annual reporting to the Secretary on how the funds are used.
Show full summary
- States: Gives states the option to retain up to 25% of the pro rata share of fraud-related Medicaid overpayment recoveries each quarter to use locally for program integrity. This provides a new, limited funding source for state anti-fraud work.
- Program integrity efforts: Funds kept by states must be used for activities like audits, investigations, data analysis, and information technology that improve detection, prevention, or recovery of improper payments. States must report at least annually in a form the Secretary specifies.
- Federal-state accountability: The bill changes how the United States' pro rata share is treated for these recoveries and creates a federal reporting requirement to track how diverted recoveries are spent and coordinated.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
States may keep 25% of Medicaid recoveries
If enacted, the bill would let states, starting in quarters that begin 18 months after enactment, elect to exclude up to 25 percent of the federal pro rata share of fraud-related Medicaid overpayment recoveries from the federal adjustment. The excluded money would stay with the state. States would have to use it for program integrity work like audits, investigations, data analysis, and IT to detect, prevent, or recover improper payments. States would have to report to the Secretary at least once a year on how they used the money.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
VA • R
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]
PA • R
Sponsored 9/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov