By AP
LANSING, MI – Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox wants the state to create an independent office to investigate Medicaid fraud.
Cox on Wednesday backed bills being drafted by Republican lawmakers in the Michigan Legislature. The bills would create an office with powers to oversee and audit Medicaid systems and records separate from the state's Department of Community Health.
Cox says that would lead to better enforcement and discovery of fraud, potentially saving the state more than $100 million a year.
He says six other states have similar offices.
Cox is one of the candidates seeking to become the Republican nominee for governor in 2010.