The bill would require states, starting January 1, 2028, to have laws protecting certain Medicaid workers and contractors from workplace retaliation for making protected disclosures. These disclosures may report suspected legal violations, fraud, waste, abuse, gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, or specific dangers to public health or safety. People who believe they faced retaliation could seek relief through an administrative process and, if they disagree with the result, judicial review. Possible remedies include reinstatement, double back pay with interest, compensation for special damages and legal costs, and punitive damages in certain cases.
The protections would cover employees, contractors, subcontractors, and agents involved in administering, overseeing, managing, or delivering services under a state Medicaid plan or waiver. A disclosure must be made to a covered entity, such as a supervisor, Medicaid agency, law enforcement agency, or specified federal entity.
The bill does not provide a cost estimate. It allows certain remedies for covered individuals, including double back pay, interest, special damages, litigation costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and, in some cases, punitive damages.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.