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Texas Policy Research submitted the following written testimony to all members of the Texas House Committee on Human Services ahead of its interim hearing.
- Committee: House Committee on Human Services
- Hearing Date: May 5, 2026
- Context: 89th Legislature, Interim
- Subject: Preventing fraud, waste, and abuse
- Position: Informational
- Texas Liberty Compact: Make Government Transparent
- Submitted By: Jeramy Kitchen
- Entity: Texas Policy Research Action (TPRA)
Download the Submitted Testimony
The text below reproduces the testimony as submitted to the committee.
The submitted document linked above is the authoritative version.
Chairman Hull and Members of the Committee,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.
Ensuring the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs is not only a fiscal responsibility, but a moral one. Every dollar lost to inefficiency, improper payments, or abuse is a dollar that is no longer available to serve Texans who legitimately rely on these services. Efforts to identify and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse should be ongoing, systematic, and data-driven. This includes strengthening eligibility verification processes, improving interagency data sharing where appropriate, and regularly auditing program performance to identify vulnerabilities.
At the same time, it is important that oversight efforts are designed with precision. Broad or overly burdensome compliance measures can create unnecessary barriers for eligible recipients and providers, undermining the effectiveness of the programs themselves. The goal should be to improve program integrity without reducing access to legitimate services. The Committee's focus on reviewing enrollment systems, credentialing processes, and program administration is a positive step. Continued attention to these areas can help ensure that services are delivered efficiently and that taxpayer dollars are used as intended. Additionally, transparency should remain a priority. Clear reporting on program performance, error rates, and corrective actions can build public trust and provide lawmakers with the information needed to make informed policy decisions.
Texas has an opportunity to lead by demonstrating that strong oversight and effective service delivery are not mutually exclusive. By maintaining a disciplined approach to program integrity, the state can better serve both taxpayers and beneficiaries.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Related TPR Work
- Written Testimony, Implementation of SB 379 | House Human Services, 5.5.2026
- Texas Senate Finance Examines Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
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