How Washington Can Save Millions by Listening to Insiders

Lawmakers in Washington are talking a lot about audits these days, but there’s a smarter way to catch fraud before it drains public funds. A bill proposed by Rep. David Hackney aims to reward whistleblowers who expose cheating in government programs—not just Medicaid. Right now, Washington is one of 38 states with a False Claims Act, but it’s the only one that restricts whistleblower protections to Medicaid fraud. That leaves plenty of room for abuse in other areas. Take a recent state audit that found a grant recipient spending public money on first-class flights, alcohol, and resort stays. The idea that someone could misuse taxpayer cash so openly shows why whistleblowers matter. They’re the ones who see the red flags first. The federal False Claims Act already lets whistleblowers sue on behalf of the government and earn 15% to 30% of recovered funds. Washington could use the same system to stop fraud before it grows.Some industries pushed back, saying the bill was too broad. Tech lobbyists worried about tax disputes, while contractors wanted exemptions for construction changes. But fraud is fraud—intentionally lying to get money you don’t deserve. These concerns don’t hold up. If anything, they prove why stronger whistleblower laws are needed. Without them, bad actors slip through the cracks. Washington’s budget has ballooned to $86 billion this year, up 25% from four years ago. That’s a lot of cash floating around, and history shows where big money flows, fraud often follows. Other states have used whistleblower laws to recover billions. Washington could too, if lawmakers stop dragging their feet. Hackney plans to reintroduce the bill next year, which is good news. But waiting another year means more wasted money. The real question isn’t whether fraud exists—it’s whether Washington is serious about stopping it.