Governor Walz Issues Executive Order to Combat Fraud Across Minnesota Government Programs

Strategic Insights -

Governor Tim Walz has taken decisive action to prevent, detect, and combat fraud across Minnesota government programs. The executive order issued on September 17, 2025, leverages new data sharing laws passed in the 2025 legislative session and builds on significant steps already taken to safeguard public dollars and ensure resources are directed to Minnesotans who need them most. The order aims to intensify efforts across state agencies to prevent and combat fraud, with a particular focus on Medicaid providers and claims.

Key Takeaways:

  • Governor Walz has issued an executive order directing state agencies to intensify efforts to prevent, detect, and combat fraud across Minnesota government programs.
  • The order leverages new data sharing laws passed in the 2025 legislative session and builds on significant steps already taken to safeguard public dollars.
  • The Governor has advanced numerous proposals and initiatives to strengthen program integrity and address evolving criminal schemes, including:

+ Introduced and signed into law comprehensive anti-fraud legislation during the 2023-2025 legislative sessions.

+ Increased data-sharing across agencies.

+ Created an Office of Inspector General at the Department of Education.

+ Established new anti-kickback provisions.

+ Assisted the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and other law enforcement agencies to bring fraudsters to justice.

  • Executive Order 25-10 directs state agencies to expand their efforts with additional fraud prevention tools, including:

+ Strengthening oversight at the Department of Human Services (DHS) through proactive, data-driven reviews of Medicaid providers and claims.

+ Increasing transparency by publishing program integrity actions and outcomes.

+ Improving provider accountability by disenrolling inactive Medicaid providers and requiring prepayment review for high-risk providers.

+ Conducting an external review of DHS operations to recommend structural changes that prioritize fraud prevention, accountability, and efficient service delivery.

  • The order aims to enhance technology and analytics with MNIT support to modernize systems and strengthen fraud detection tools and reinforce interagency coordination by requiring agencies to share data for fraud detection and refer suspected cases to law enforcement and oversight partners.

Statistics:

  • $[Amount] in estimated annual losses due to fraud in Minnesota government programs.
  • [Percentage]% increase in Medicaid fraud cases reported in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • 10 [Number] of new leadership appointments made at the Department of Human Services in 2025 to prioritize fraud prevention and program integrity.
  • 15-day implementation period for Executive Order 25-10.

Sources:

  • "Governor Walz Issues Executive Order Directing State Agencies to Take Additional Steps to Continue Combating Fraud." Governor Tim Walz. September 17, 2025.
  • "Executive Order 25-10: Combating Fraud Across Minnesota Government Programs." Minnesota State Register. September 17, 2025.