Kansas Democrats liken bill to expand inspector general’s authority to AG ‘power grab’

Kansas Democrats liken bill to expand inspector general’s authority to AG ‘power grab’

Rep. Nikki McDonald, an Olathe Democrat, accuses legislation proposing expanded authority for the Kansas Medicaid inspector general of giving too much power to the attorney general during debate March 11, 2025, on the House floor. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)TOPEKA — A bill expanding the authority of the office responsible for investigating Kansas’ Medicaid program was regarded Tuesday by some Democrats as a “power grab” from Attorney Genera…

Bill expanding power of Medicaid inspector general to examine welfare programs passes House

The Kansas House on Wednesday agreed to expand the power of the Medicaid inspector general - a division of Attorney General Kris Kobach's office - to investigate welfare benefits including cash, food and health assistance. The House voted 85-37 to approve the bill, which Democrats said was duplicative of existing efforts to root out fraud and waste and was a "power grab" by the attorney general to expand his powers within state government. "I am…