Senator Nesbitt seeks federal probe into possible Medicaid fraud

Expect to hear more about the National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED) in connection with Medicaid fraud.

NFED is a newly established division within the U.S. Department of Justice focused on investigating and prosecuting fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs. It centralizes existing fraud enforcement resources and aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fraud investigations nationwide.

The WOOD Radio report includes images of Sen. Nesbitt's letter, and links important resources, at its site.

https://wtkg.iheart.com/featured/wood-radio-local-news/content/2026-05-01-senator-nesbitt-seeks-federal-probe-into-possible-medicaid-fraud/

Senator Nesbitt seeks federal probe into possible Medicaid fraud

James Gemmell    |    May 1, 2026

LANSING, Mich. -- Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt is asking the National Fraud Endowment Division to probe possible cases of Medicaid fraud in Michigan.

He says red flags were raised after an investigative report was released that tracked sharp upticks in Medicaid billings beginning in 2022, plus other expenditures.

"Three years ago, Democrats took full control of the Legislature - and Governor Whitmer - they blew through a historic $9 billion surplus," Nesbitt said in an interview on the West Michigan Live program. "They wasted it on liberal pork projects, bloated government, handouts to global corporations for jobs that just never showed up."

Nesbitt speaking there to WOOD Radio WML host Justin Barclay.

More details were provided in a news release

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt on Wednesday requested the U.S. Department of Justice’s newly established National Fraud Endowment Division look into possible cases of Medicaid fraud in Michigan under the objectives of the National Task Force to Eliminate Fraud established by President Donald Trump and chaired by Vice President JD Vance.

“We want to make sure this money is available so people who truly deserve these resources can get the support they need,” said Nesbitt, R-Porter Township. “That is exactly why we must also make sure fraudsters who make a career of gaming these systems are held accountable. We are not going to stop asking the questions that need to be asked to protect taxpayer dollars.”

Nesbitt said serious red flags that prompted his request included a recent investigative report that tracked sharp upticks in Medicaid billings following changes implemented by Democrats after they took control of both legislative chambers in 2022 and a March report by Michigan’s independent Auditor General that found the state’s Department of Health and Human Services failed for more than seven years to sufficiently monitor an $82 million contract with a private pharmacy benefits manager administering drug rebates for Medicaid.

“Taxpayers deserve assurance that Medicaid dollars are protected against waste, fraud and abuse, and that criminals who siphon from this system are held accountable to the full extent of the law,” Nesbitt wrote in a letter to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald. “President Trump and Vice President Vance are leading the fight to combat widespread fraud and restore accountability in this system.”

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