Trump's week in review: Saudi Arabia's nuclear deal; data center push; escalating war in Iran
1. HHS pauses $1B in Medicaid funding to California and Minnesota
In a statement Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a pause on more than $1 billion in Medicaid funding to California and Minnesota as part of “the Trump administration’s effort to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid.”
The pause affects about $867.5 million in federal Medicaid funding to California and approximately $199 million in such funding to Minnesota.
At the center of the deferment are concerns about “spending growth that far exceeded national trends” related to in-home care programs in California and “expenditures linked to providers flagged through program integrity reviews and other claims that require additional documentation” in “high-risk areas” in Minnesota.
The Trump administration indicated that the pause in Medicaid funding in California may be lifted upon receipt of proper documentation to support flagged claims, while funding may be restored in Minnesota pending the outcome of an ongoing review.
“CMS is done trying to chase down stolen and misused funds after they’ve already left the building,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
“That’s why we’re deferring payments with respect to certain high-risk services within the Medicaid programs in California and Minnesota as part of our proactive new approach to program integrity. By stopping waste and fraud before the check clears, CMS is delivering record-high savings for taxpayers and ensuring that their hard-earned dollars reach the vulnerable Americans Medicaid is meant to serve,” he added.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stressed that “Medicaid exists to serve vulnerable Americans — not to bankroll unsupported claims,” adding “States that receive federal Medicaid funding must demonstrate that every dollar meets federal requirements.” He vowed that “When they cannot, we will not release federal funds until they do.”
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
