The popular quotation (incorrectly attributed to Thomas Jefferson) that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty and freedom could equally apply to the fight against waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. Whenever lawmakers pass new measures to prevent waste, or law enforcement cracks down on fraud, scammers tend to migrate to some new scheme.
On that front, a report recently issued by the House Energy and Commerce Committee summarizing activities in recent months provides a mixed perspective. In some respects, changing policies and greater enforcement have protected individuals and taxpayers. But the fact that committee members introduced 14 anti-fraud measures in conjunction with the report’s release shows that Washington still has more work to do.
