"By finding waste and abuse in entitlement programs, and eliminating it, we can ensure that the funds that are put into these programs go to the people that need them the most"

Ryun’s statement marries fiscal stewardship with social compassion: public dollars should be guarded so they can do the most good for those with genuine need. It leverages a widely resonant idea that “waste and abuse” siphon resources from programs like Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, or unemployment insurance, suggesting that tighter management can enhance, not diminish, their core mission. The claim does not argue for dismantling the safety net; it reframes reform as protection, positioning integrity measures as a way to honor the promise made to vulnerable households and taxpayers alike.

Yet the phrase “waste and abuse” is often a political catchall. In practice, “waste” can include everything from outright fraud to improper payments caused by confusing rules, outdated technology, or administrative bottlenecks. Eliminating it requires more than cuts: it demands modernization. Effective steps include risk-based audits, cross-agency data matching, clearer eligibility rules, upgraded IT systems to reduce errors, and adequate staffing so caseworkers can process claims promptly and detect anomalies without delaying legitimate benefits. Reducing duplication between overlapping programs and streamlining procurement can also free resources without touching beneficiary levels.

There are trade-offs. Aggressive anti-fraud regimes can unintentionally lock out eligible people by making enrollment and recertification burdensome. A humane approach pairs program integrity with access: simplified forms, ex parte renewals where appropriate, multilingual support, and user-centered design to minimize paperwork errors. Equity matters, too; ensuring funds reach those who “need them the most” entails addressing disparities in outreach, digital access, and local administrative capacity.

Ultimately, the vision is pragmatic: strengthen public trust by showing that government can deliver help efficiently and fairly. Success is measured not only in dollars recovered but in improved health, food security, and stability among beneficiaries. By aligning accountability with compassion, reform becomes a tool to maximize the social return on every taxpayer dollar while safeguarding the dignity of those the programs were created to serve.