Safeguarding Taxpayer Programs

Policy Committee    May 7, 2026

PHILADELPHIA, May 7 – As more than 4 million Pennsylvanians rely on taxpayer-funded public assistance programs like Medical Assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the need to protect tax dollars and ensure the programs are being used for people who actually need them is more important than ever. The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing in Philadelphia Thursday afternoon, co-hosted by Reps. Pat Gallagher (D-Phila.) and Sean Dougherty (D-Phila.), to demonstrate how Pennsylvania has become a national leader in safeguarding taxpayer programs. 

• Hosts: Rep. Pat Gallagher (D-Phila.), Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-Phila.)
• Testifiers:
  • Michelle A. Henry- Pennsylvania Inspector General
  • Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH- Secretary, Pa. Dept. of Human Services
  • Randall M. Fox- Partner, Kirby McInerny LLP, 2021 Whistleblower Lawyer of the Year

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and testimony: Safeguarding Taxpayer Programs

Media Release

• Testifiers detail Pennsylvania’s nationwide leadership in fighting public benefits fraud, May 7, 2026

Video + Photos

• Click here to view the entire hearing
• Click here to view photos of the hearing