Kean, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Safeguard Medicaid

(SEPTEMBER 30, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) introduced the Helping Encourage Lawful Payments and Strengthen Transparency, Anti-fraud, Tips, and Enforcement Strategies Act (HELP STATES) Actwith a group of colleagues to provide states more money for Medicaid program integrity activities. 

The HELP STATES Act was introduced as part of an Energy and Commerce Committee package of 14 bills to streamline necessary data collection and availability, bolster anti-fraud enforcement infrastructure, and incentivize fraud-fighting efforts so that states and the federal government can more effectively defend taxpayer dollars and safeguard important federally funded health programs.

“The HELP STATES Act gives New Jersey and other states the power to crack down on Medicaid fraud by letting them keep more of what they recover and reinvest it straight into stopping waste,” said Congressman Kean. “This means more resources, stronger oversight, and a smarter system that rewards states for protecting taxpayer dollars.”

“As a nurse practitioner, I know how important Medicaid is to the patients and families who rely on it, which is why it’s crucial we protect this vital resource from fraud,” said Congresswoman Kiggans (VA-02). “The HELP STATES Act would allow states across the country to reinvest a portion of the identified fraudulent payments into stronger audits and investigations to prevent future abuse of the system. I’m proud to join Congressman Kean in supporting this commonsense legislation to hold bad actors accountable, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and preserve the integrity of our social safety net.”

“Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that cannot be used to provide care for Americans who rely on Medicaid,” said Congressman Wittman (VA-01). “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the HELP STATES Act to give states a stronger incentive to identify and recover fraudulent payments while ensuring those recovered funds are reinvested in protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program. We owe it to taxpayers and Medicaid enrollees to safeguard these resources and hold those who defraud the system accountable.”

Last year, Congressman Kean voted in favor of the Working Families Tax Cuts that were later signed into law to safeguard Medicaid for every intended beneficiary in New Jersey and across the country. 

Congressman Kean introduced the HELP STATES Act with Representatives Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Rob Wittman (VA-01), David Valadao (CA-22), Young Kim (CA-40), and Rob Bresnahan (PA-08). 

Read the text of the HELP STATES Act HERE. 

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