Trump Administration Launches Task Force to Eliminate Health Care Fraud Nationwide

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 16, 2026, establishing a Task Force to Eliminate Fraud within the Executive Office of the President. The task force, chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance, was created to coordinate a national strategy to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs, officials said.

The executive order directs federal agencies to identify processes vulnerable to fraud and submit prevention measures within 30 days, by April 15, 2026, according to official documents. The Task Force is mandated to coordinate the adoption of minimum anti-fraud requirements across federal benefit programs within 60 days, with a deadline of May 15, 2026. A measurable implementation plan is also scheduled for release by June 14, 2026, officials said.

Among these are deferring $259.5 million in quarterly federal Medicaid funding to Minnesota and imposing a six-month moratorium on Medicare enrollment for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers, according to federal records.

Vice President J.D. Vance will chair the Task Force, with the Federal Trade Commission chairman serving as vice chair. Stephen Miller, assistant to the president for homeland security, is named senior advisor. Members include representatives from nine cabinet agencies such as the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Treasury, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, Homeland Security, Small Business Administration, and the Office of Management and Budget, according to White House sources. The Task Force will coordinate with the Homeland Security Council on law enforcement and national security matters.

The initiative focuses heavily on combating fraud in Medicare and Medicaid programs, which are administered jointly with states. This emphasis follows an announcement on February 25, 2026, by Vice President Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz about new anti-fraud measures.

Minnesota has been singled out as a primary example of widespread Medicaid fraud, with federal prosecutors estimating losses in the billions over recent years. The Feeding Our Future nonprofit fraud case, which involved the theft of nearly $250 million intended for needy children, is cited as a significant example. Officials described Minnesota as a “poster child” for states that have resisted implementing basic fraud controls. The deferred Medicaid funding and enrollment moratorium are part of the administration’s efforts to address this crisis.

Beyond Minnesota, the Task Force is investigating similar fraud issues in California, Illinois, New York, Maine, and Colorado. Federal sources confirm that these states face substantial challenges with fraud perpetrated by illegal aliens, criminal organizations, foreign gangs, bureaucrats, state officials, non-governmental organizations, and ineligible providers. The fraud extends across state-administered federal programs including healthcare, housing, and nutrition assistance.

The Department of Justice recently established a National Fraud Enforcement Division, which is involved in these efforts, according to DOJ officials. The administration’s focus on these states, which are predominantly led by Democratic governors, is part of a broader strategy to enhance oversight and enforcement.

The executive order directs the attorney general to promote whistleblower activity under the False Claims Act and ensure prompt reviews of fraud allegations. Officials expect an increase in subpoenas, information requests, and rigorous investigations under the False Claims Act, with at least a dozen federal agencies and multiple inspectors general participating in enforcement actions. The first meeting of the Task Force, led by Vice President Vance, was held Friday at the White House following the State of the Union address, sources confirmed.

The initiative is expected to have significant implications for healthcare providers, managed care billing, telehealth services, and claims submitted under Medicare and Medicaid programs. Agencies are required to implement controls that prevent improper payments before funds are obligated or disbursed and to pause funding proactively where fraud risks are identified, according to the executive order.

The Task Force is also tasked with improving eligibility verification processes and enforcing requirements under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Enhanced information sharing and coordinated investigations among federal, state, and local authorities are key components of the strategy, officials said. The Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative has been launched as part of this effort to detect and prevent healthcare fraud nationwide.