Welfare Abuse and Laundering Zillions Act; WALZ Act
Summary
The Welfare Abuse and Laundering Zillions Act (WALZ Act) directs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to investigate payment increases within HHS programs. Specifically, it mandates an investigation if the total amount paid to service providers and suppliers under an HHS program increases by 10% or more in any 6-month period compared to the previous 6-month period. The bill aims to identify and address potential fraud, waste, and abuse within HHS programs.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mrs. Miller-Meeks and referred to multiple committees, including Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Natural Resources. The Speaker will determine the period for which each committee will consider the bill's provisions.
The WALZ Act seeks to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability in the administration of HHS programs by requiring increased scrutiny of significant payment increases.
Expected Effects
The WALZ Act, if enacted, would lead to increased oversight of HHS programs. This could result in the identification and prevention of fraudulent or wasteful spending. It may also lead to changes in how HHS programs are administered to prevent future abuses.
However, the increased scrutiny could also create additional administrative burdens for HHS and its service providers. This could potentially slow down the delivery of essential services.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced Waste and Fraud: The act could help identify and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in HHS programs, saving taxpayer money.
- Increased Accountability: It promotes greater accountability among HHS program administrators and service providers.
- Improved Program Efficiency: By identifying inefficiencies, the act could lead to improvements in program design and implementation.
- Enhanced Public Trust: Increased transparency and oversight could enhance public trust in government programs.
- Deterrent Effect: The threat of investigation may deter potential wrongdoers from engaging in fraudulent activities.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Administrative Burden: The investigation requirement could create additional administrative burdens for HHS and its Inspector General.
- Potential Delays: Investigations could potentially delay payments to legitimate service providers.
- Increased Costs: The investigations themselves could be costly, potentially offsetting some of the savings from reduced fraud.
- False Positives: The 10% threshold may trigger investigations even in cases where payment increases are legitimate and justified.
- Focus on Retrospection: The act focuses on investigating past increases rather than proactively preventing fraud.
Constitutional Alignment
The WALZ Act appears to align with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). By aiming to reduce waste and fraud in HHS programs, the act seeks to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively to support public health and well-being.
Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to collect taxes and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the United States. The WALZ Act can be seen as an exercise of this power, as it seeks to ensure that appropriated funds are used responsibly.
However, the act's potential impact on individual liberties and due process should be considered. While the act itself does not directly infringe upon any specific constitutional rights, the investigations it mandates could potentially raise concerns about privacy and fairness if not conducted properly.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).