Delivered to my state senators. I look forward to the responses.

Dear Senator Hagerty and Senator Blackburn,

As your constituent in Tennessee, I am writing to demand immediate congressional action on the widespread fraud within Medicare and other federal programs—and corresponding relief for American taxpayers.

The numbers are indefensible:

- The Government Accountability Office estimates the federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud.

- CMS reported $87.1 billion in improper payments across Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP in FY 2024—including $31.7 billion in Medicare Fee-for-Service and $31.1 billion in Medicaid.

- MedPAC estimates the federal government overpays Medicare Advantage plans by $84 billion annually, $40 billion of which stems from questionable coding practices.

- In Minnesota, federal prosecutors believe half or more of $18 billion spent on 14 Medicaid programs since 2018 may be fraudulent—what the U.S. Attorney's Office called fraud at "staggering industrial scale."

- Since FY 2003, cumulative improper payments have reached $2.7 trillion.

At current rates, taxpayers face $43-81 billion in additional improper payments over the next six months, with total fraud exposure potentially reaching $116-260 billion.

I expect you to:

1. Support and expand congressional investigations into Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security fraud with public hearings and transparent reporting.

2. Hold agency leadership accountable for oversight failures—including criminal prosecution and imprisonment of officials who enabled, ignored, or participated in fraud. No more quiet resignations with pensions intact. Private sector executives go to prison for fraud at this scale. Public officials should face the same.

3. Pass legislation requiring proportional federal income tax reductions as fraud is recovered. Recovered dollars should return to taxpayers, not disappear into new spending.

4. Implement structural reforms: prepayment claim reviews, tighter provider screening, and prosecution of both fraud perpetrators and the officials who let it happen.

Medicaid Fraud Control Units returned $3.46 for every $1 spent in FY 2024. Enforcement works when there is will to enforce.

Tennesseans work hard for their income. We will not accept losing our tax dollars to fraud while being told there is no room for relief. We expect action, and we expect those responsible to face consequences.

I will be watching your response and will remember it at the ballot box.

Respectfully,