An Act Requiring Annual Performance Audits Of Medicaid-funded Programs By The Auditors Of Public Accounts.
Summary
SB 1122 requires the Auditors of Public Accounts to conduct at least two performance audits each year of Medicaid-funded programs. Each year, the Senate and House chairpersons and ranking members of the Human Services Committee must submit a written list of at least two Medicaid-funded programs for audit, and the Department of Social Services commissioner must post links to the completed audit results and recommendations on the agency website within 30 days of completion.
The bill also amends the state auditing statute to make these Medicaid program audits mandatory, overriding the general discretionary audit framework for this category of programs. Program administrators must provide whatever information the auditors determine is necessary, and the auditors must report findings and recommendations to the Governor, the State Comptroller, and the legislative committees responsible for appropriations, budgets, and human services. The bill takes effect in stages, with the new selection process beginning July 1, 2025, and the audit mandate becoming effective January 1, 2026.
Impact
The bill would add a new subsection to section 2-90 of the general statutes and create a new statutory requirement for annual performance audits of Medicaid-funded programs. It expands the duties of the Auditors of Public Accounts, imposes a cooperation obligation on program administrators, and requires public posting of audit results by the Department of Social Services. The measure affects Medicaid-funded programs, the Auditors of Public Accounts, DSS, the Governor, the State Comptroller, and legislative committees overseeing human services and state finances.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill. The Joint Favorable Substitute vote on March 4, 2025 was unanimous, 22-0, indicating broad committee agreement on the need for regular oversight of Medicaid-funded programs. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded debate reflecting opposition or concerns in the available materials.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts, but the structure of the bill suggests the main policy issue is oversight versus administrative burden. Potential concerns could include the cost and workload of mandatory annual audits, the selection of programs by legislative leaders rather than by the auditors alone, and the requirement that program administrators supply information requested by auditors. The unanimous committee vote indicates that any such concerns did not prevent consensus at the committee stage.