U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called for greater accountability from several state governors on Mar. 17 regarding fraud in federal child care funding. Cassidy said that some states have failed to protect families and taxpayers from improper payments in these programs.
The issue is significant because federal child care assistance is intended to support working families and children in need. High rates of improper payments can undermine trust in public programs and reduce resources available for those who rely on them.
Cassidy previously led an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following reports of widespread child care fraud in that state. He said, “These governors seem to be content with wasting billions of American’s hard-earned dollars on fraudulent federal child care assistant programs. This leaves children in need worse off.” Cassidy added, “We need to protect the hard-working families who pay into the system and the families who rely on it.”
According to data cited by Cassidy, Oregon had an improper payment rate of 35.12 percent, New York 17.73 percent, and Michigan 12.25 percent in their federal child care programs. In contrast, Texas reported a much lower rate at only 0.4 percent.
As chairman of the committee during the 119th Congress according to the official website, Cassidy has launched a task force within the committee and held hearings aimed at addressing this issue. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee works on legislation related to public health, education, workforce issues, and retirement programs according to its official website. The committee also influences federal regulations affecting health and education across the country according to its official website.
The committee provides oversight of federal laws and agencies involved in health and labor policy decisions according to its official website, including agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) according to its official website.
Cassidy’s actions may lead other states to review their own practices regarding federal child care funds as oversight efforts continue.
