How the GOP’s fraud crackdown could impact the midterms

Politico ^ | 04/05/2026 04:00 PM EDT | Robert King

[E. Pluribus Unum]

While many Republicans approve of tackling fraud, the Trump administration’s recent efforts may not be enough to overcome concerns about higher costs.

Republicans have found their health care message for the midterms: fraud.

The White House and Congress have taken big public steps in recent months to highlight what they call rampant fraud in several blue states, taking action after YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral last year exposing fraudulent Medicaid providers in Minnesota.

Vice President JD Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz are taking high-profile roles in the fight. Vance kicked off a new fraud task force this spring and swore in a new assistant attorney general whose main task is focusing on fraud. Oz has released a drumbeat of viral videos on CMS’ efforts to combat fraud and launched probes across several states.

In Congress, several House committees have launched their own investigations, asking 10 states to provide answers on their fraud guardrails and examining California hospice fraud.

The looming question: Will the all-hands Republican fraud crackdown translate to votes at a time when Americans are laser-focused on the high cost of living, including hiked Obamacare premiums?

Republicans argue it will help shift the spotlight off complaints about health care affordability during Trump’s first year in office, as well as counter Democratic attacks over the more than $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts in last year’s One Big Beautiful Big Act, which polls show are also unpopular.

The Medicaid reforms, which include expanded work requirements, were “focused on … trying to address fraud, such as integrity checks,” said Energy & Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) on March 17 after a contentious hearing on the issue. “We are seeing the fraud that we are trying to solve.”

Guthrie said voters want to see it addressed.

“I always say good governance is good politics and...”

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

[BenLurkin]

Will the fraud crackdown translate to votes?

It needs to be done regardless.

[webheart]

Apparently the Democrats are worried that fraud will galvanize the Republican base. They worry more about how we can pay for it than how we can stop it.

[gibsonguy]

The fraud is also a dem money laundering op. So it could impact their campaign funding

[Deaf Smith]

“We are seeing the fraud that we are trying to solve.”

The solution is indictments, arrests, trials and prison.

[CFW]

Politico is not worried about the fraud itself. Oh no! It is worried about how any news or arrests due to the fraud could affect the November elections.

[Eccl 10:2]

Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do.

[clearcarbon]

"How the GOP’s fraud crackdown could impact the midterms"

What do the fraudsters have planned for this November? Fraudulent elections have consequences.

[for-q-clinton]

We need to make the states with Fraud payback the fed for the money they allowed to be stolen. Then this crap will stop!

[Liz]

FTA

<><>Nick Shirley exposed fraudulent Somali-run Medicaid providers in Minnesota.
<><>Vice President JD Vance is a key player
<><>Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Admin Mehmet Oz is high-profile in the fight.
<><>Vance kicked off a new fraud task force this spring
<><>Vance swore in a new assistant attorney general focusing on fraud.
<><>Oz released a drumbeat of viral videos on CMS’ efforts to combat fraud
<><>Oz launched probes across several states.
<><>several House committees have launched investigations,
<><>California fraud is shocking
<><>10 states are to provide answers wrt hospice fraud.

[escapefromboston]

If they are busting people everyday for millions of dollars of fraud and actually arrest some crooks than it will help Republicans
if its just a waste of time it won’t mean anything

[Steve_Seattle1]

Bingo!!

[Political Junkie Too]

The Democrats will do what they always do: blame Republicans for politicizing it.

Imagine all the forthcoming articles on "Republicans Pounce..." instead of all the fraud that Democrats either allowed, facilitated, or benefited from.

Republcans can run on the message that the fraud is why our taxes haven't gone down even more, and that stopping the fraud will keep social security solvent, or something.

Democrats, in turn, will try to find one Republican poliltician in one state that has some small fraud to claim "both sides" even though it will not compare in scope.

The LAAP-dog media will emphasize the Democrat positions and ignore the Republican ones.

-PJ

[Fireone]

Until Tim Walz is perp walked, and convicted, I will take none of this seriously.
He was aware of, oversaw, protected, and profited from massive theft of Federal tax monies.
The evidence is clear.
Why is he still free?

[lurk]

Every blue state and blue city needs a deep audit. Vance and Co. will have to really hustle if they want to make a difference in Nov.

[Jacquerie]

Not a single Republican voted for Obamacare.

[eyeamok]

The fraud will only turn in to votes if a lot of high profile people are put in prison and stripped of all assets.

[cableguymn]

because he is a democrat and is protected by democrats from state charges and Bondi was not interested in arresting him.

[Fireone]

Yes, I wouldn’t expect any state charges, the AG is totally corrupt.
It’s Fed charges that should be sufficient to lock the buffoon up. He’s surrounded by evidence of his malfeasance & corruption.
Like I said, I won’t take any of this seriously, until he’s done.

[cableguymn]

There was one in the house, he was quickly dispatched to the dustbin of history. (probably a rino) I can’t say I blame you for forgetting him.