Restore Accountability, Combat Fraud, Protect Our Safety Net
By Christie Mullin & Stacey Schieffelin
As working mothers, we teach our children simple rules: be honest, take responsibility, and never take what is not yours. These are not abstract ideals. They are the foundation of trust, at home and in society. So, when billions of dollars in public assistance are siphoned off through fraud and abuse, it is more than bad policy. It is a breakdown of those basic rules. The White House has taken a step to address it, launching a multi-agency task force to crack down on fraud across federal programs. But unless states reinforce those same standards of accountability, the problem will continue.
We understand the pressures families face. We balance careers, households, and the responsibility of raising children with strong values. Like millions of Americans, we rely on the promise that public systems are fair and designed to help those in need, not those looking to exploit them.
That promise is breaking down. In Minnesota, more than $185 million in fraudulent daycare payments were uncovered, not by regulators, but by a citizen journalist. In another case, a millionaire testified that he was able to enroll in and receive SNAP benefits despite being ineligible. In Los Angeles, federal authorities arrested individuals allegedly responsible for more than $60 million in Medicare hospice fraud.
These are not isolated cases. They reflect systemic failures, weak oversight, and gaps that allow fraud to spread across states and programs. They also tear at our social fabric. We’ve both heard a lot recently from our fellow moms who are disheartened at these reports when they are struggling to make ends meet in their own homes.
But this is also why I (Christie) fully support my husband’s acceptance of his new role heading up the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Working alongside the White House task force, Markwayne is laser focused on restoring public trust that our homeland will be secure not just from terrorists but from the type of transnational organized crime rings that prey on American generosity.
At the same time, this is not an issue that the federal government can fix alone. In fact, it is the states that have the better tools to fix this. They need to use them. The America First Policy Institute’s recent release of a toolkit for states to combat public assistance and food stamp fraud provides a roadmap:
First, states should strengthen interstate data sharing. Fraudsters exploit the lack of coordination between states, moving from one jurisdiction to another to restart the same schemes. When information is siloed, bad actors stay ahead. A uniform data-sharing framework would allow states to track suspicious activity, flag repeat offenders, and stop fraud earlier. Some states have started, but partial adoption is not enough.
Second, conduct regular, unannounced inspections. Too many oversight visits are scheduled in advance, giving bad actors time to fabricate records or stage compliance. Surprise inspections are simple and effective. When discrepancies are found, they should trigger immediate consequences, payment suspension, provider exclusion, and referral to law enforcement.
Third, make reporting fraud simple and mandatory. States should create centralized platforms where whistleblowers can report suspicious activity. These systems should track complaints, investigations, and enforcement in one place. Governors should also set clear thresholds requiring agencies to refer credible fraud cases to federal authorities. There should be no discretion to ignore serious violations.
Finally, enforce accountability within government. Fraud persists not just because of bad actors, but because of weak oversight. States should identify high-risk programs and impose stricter controls, enhanced reporting, more frequent reviews, time limits on funding, and the authority to freeze or terminate payments when fraud is suspected.
These are not complicated reforms. They are common-sense steps to restore integrity to systems millions of Americans depend on. When fraud is tolerated, it does more than waste money. It erodes trust, weakens safety nets, and harms the families these programs are meant to serve.
The federal government has signaled that it is serious about addressing this issue. Now states must meet that moment, because every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken from a family that actually needs it.
Christie Mullin serves as chair for Rural Policy at the America First Policy Institute. She is also a business owner and a proud mother of six children.
Stacey Schieffelin serves as Chief External Affairs Officer and chair of the America First Women’s Initiative at the America First Policy Institute. She is a proud mother of two daughters, and loving grandmother to one grandchild.
