Creating the False Claims Act

HB 2214 creates West Virginia's False Claims Act specifically for Medicaid fraud. It directly affects Medicaid providers (like hospitals and clinics) who submit false claims, and allows private citizens to file lawsuits on behalf of the state for fraudulent claims. Key provisions include requiring triple damages plus penalties for false claims, defining "knowingly" as actual knowledge or reckless disregard, and establishing a 5-year statute of limitations. The law exempts Medicaid claims from the $25,000 threshold that applies to other state claims, focusing exclusively on Medicaid program integrity.