Burns welcomes governor’s call to fight waste, fraud, abuse
Burns’ H.B. 1697 would create PA False Claims Act
Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus February 3, 2026 | 3:28 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 — As he works to crack down on financial waste, fraud and abuse, state Rep. Frank Burns today said he welcomes the support Gov. Josh Shapiro announced for protecting taxpayers with a state False Claims Act in his annual budget address.
Burns, D-Cambria, has sponsored H.B. 1697, modeled after the federal False Claims Act. It would enact a false claims law in Pennsylvania that allows the state attorney general to seek repayment of any government money obtained by submitting false information.
In his speech today, Shapiro noted that Pennsylvania charged 119 cases of Medicaid fraud, recovering more than $11 million, in 2024, but said the state can use more tools to recoup more state money with its own False Claims Act.
“I know there’s bipartisan support for this because I’ve stood with lawmakers of both parties advocating for a False Claims Act,” Shapiro said.
Burns said he’s hopeful the governor’s support will help him move his bill through the General Assembly and further protect taxpayers.
“Medicaid fraud is a real problem,” Burns said. “But that’s just one example. No matter what kind of scheme someone cooks up, we need to make sure Pennsylvania recoups as much as possible to protect the hard-earned money of our taxpayers.”
Burns’ bill passed the House with bipartisan support in July and is pending in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
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“No matter what kind of scheme someone cooks up, we need to make sure Pennsylvania recoups as much as possible to protect the hard-earned money of our taxpayers.”– Rep. Burns
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Burns said he was also encouraged by the governor’s focus in his budget proposal on cutting energy bills, spurring economic development, workforce development and investing in public safety.
The governor’s proposal seeks measures that would lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians by more than $500 annually; invest $25 million more in vo-tech and other key workforce programs; and train 380 new state troopers beginning this year.
“Mark my words—I will be advocating for as much funding as possible for our first responders,” Burns said. “Public safety is a foundation of my agenda at home and in Harrisburg. It will help us spur economic development, boost our economy and improve the lives of my neighbors in Cambria County.”
Read the governor’s budget speech in its entirety here.
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