OLYMPIA – Governor Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed an executive order creating the state’s first Chief Fraud Prevention Officer and a statewide fraud prevention workgroup to coordinate and expand on the state’s existing fraud prevention efforts.
“Washington takes fraud seriously,” Governor Ferguson said. “As we continue to face challenging state budgets and devastating cuts from the federal government, it is more important than ever to protect every dollar. My executive order unifies our prevention efforts across state government and expands them.”
Governor Ferguson also announced upcoming Governor-request legislation expanding the current Medicaid False Claims Act to cover all false claims against Washington state.
The Chief Fraud Prevention Officer is tasked with strengthening oversight and coordination of fraud prevention, detection, investigation and recovery efforts specifically related to health and human services programs administered by executive cabinet agencies. Those agencies include the state Health Care Authority and the departments of Health, Social & Health Services, Labor & Industries and Children, Youth & Families.
The Chief Fraud Prevention Officer will coordinate with these agencies to improve program integrity and protect federal funding. Governor Ferguson intends to implement this work using existing resources.
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