Texas Gov. Greg Abbott strengthens fraud efforts 

AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to launch investigations into potential Medicaid fraud in Texas to safeguard taxpayer funds, maintain access for eligible Texas and ensure efficient, high-quality health care delivery. “Texas provides critical health care services to children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities through the state’s Medicaid program," Abbott states in a letter the agencies. "Access to medical services is a key component in supporting these individuals and Medicaid fraud robs taxpayers and impairs their ability to receive necessary healthcare. During my tenure as governor, Texas has policed the Medicaid program and proactively combatted fraud, but we will strengthen our efforts to further protect taxpayers, preserve access for eligible Texans and maintain the integrity of Texas’ Medicaid Program." Given the recent allegations of Medicaid fraud in other states, Abbott has directed HHSC to: 

• Perform additional reviews of Medicaid services recently identified by the Trump Administration as susceptible to higher incidences of fraud and adjust OIG resources to investigate those suspected of fraudulent activity that are not already under review; 
• Ensure that all Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO) have fully staffed Special Investigations Units (SIUs) and are completing mandatory investigative activities, as required by law, to root out fraud; 
• Provide additional training to the MCO SIUs to enhance their capacity to prevent, detect, and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicaid program; 
• Perform additional targeted reviews of MCO policies for the Medicaid services most susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse; 
• Complete a targeted utilization review of autism services and provide a report in June 2026; and 
• Highlight the availability of the OIG online fraud reporting portal and hotline to allow Texans to report potential instances of fraud in the Texas Medicaid program. 

Read the governor's letter here.