Health Watchdog’s Fraud Oversight, Morale at Risk From Job Cuts

Sweeping layoffs across the federal government are prompting concern from lawmakers and former officials that the Department of Health and Human Services will be less prepared to tackle fraud within the Medicaid program.

President Donald Trump’s administration has moved swiftly to overhaul the federal workforce, with mass terminations of probationary employees and offers of buyouts and early retirements. In January, the administration ousted inspectors general across large swaths of departments and agencies, including the HHS watchdog.

Efforts to cull the federal workforce have largely been rationalized by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency as necessary to root out fraud ...