House expands Medicaid fraud probe to 10 states to 'combat rampant waste' -- New York and California on notice
Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — A House committee has initiated an inquiry into potential Medicaid fraud across 10 states, including New York and California, seeking records to “ensure program integrity nationwide,” as exclusively reported by The Post.

On March 3, Republican leaders from the House Energy and Commerce Committee dispatched letters requesting documents and communications from the governors and leaders of state health agencies in New York, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington State.

These letters highlighted recent reports and prosecutions involving fraudulent activities in the respective states.

In New York, for instance, two individuals connected to adult day care centers in Brooklyn and a home health care organization admitted guilt in January for defrauding the Medicaid program of $68 million.

Another fraudulent operation mentioned involved $120 million allegedly siphoned from Medicaid and Medicare funds by owners of Queens-based adult day care centers and a pharmacy engaged in kickbacks.

The Empire State allocated $115.6 billion to Medicaid for nearly 7 million residents in the fiscal year 2025. However, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal for this year, the program’s expansion is deemed “unsustainable.”

Other letters to California, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Nebraska noted massive percentage increases in spending on Medicaid services in recent years.

“Fraud shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) said in a statement. “It’s our most vulnerable Americans who are most at risk from fraudsters diverting precious resources intended for critical, needed care.”

“We owe it to our fellow Americans to preserve the Medicaid program for those that need it most, and states have an important role to play in ensuring that Medicaid programs operate with integrity,” he added. “The Committee will continue to combat rampant waste, fraud, and abuse across the entire country.”

The letters all cited reports of fraudsters bilking taxpayer funds in Minnesota — as well as Trump administration probes that recently led to the withholding of more than $250 million in Medicaid funding.

That fraud was perpetrated through “overbilling, falsifying records, identity theft, and phantom claims in Medicaid social service and health programs for the elderly and disabled, children with autism, people struggling with substance use disorders, and homelessness,” wrote Guthrie and two other GOP subcommittee chairmen, Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.).

The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s probe comes after a hearing early in February that heard testimony from experts about kinds of fraud schemes — including those with “high rates” of abuse such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), substance abuse treatment centers, home and community based services and more.

Certified fraud examiner Jessica Gay told the House committee that the vulnerable programs “should be on every state’s radar.”

“If a state isn’t monitoring ABA services closely, they are likely missing a considerable area where FWA is committed,” Gay said.

“Medicaid fraud robs both taxpayers and patients, and we will pursue it wherever it hides,” Joyce said in a statement.

“Republicans in Congress will continue to do the necessary legwork to investigate allegations of waste, fraud and abuse within our Medicaid system,” added Griffith.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul accused the House Energy and Commerce Committee of “playing partisan games,” but vowed to continue to go after “bad actors in the Medicaid program.”

“Congressional Republicans should learn from Governor Hochul’s dogged efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse – including sweeping CDPAP reforms that shut down hundreds of wasteful Medicaid middlemen and saved over $2 billion for state and federal taxpayers while protecting home care for those who need it,” a spokesperson for Hochul said in a statement.

A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom insisted the state has tackled Medicaid fraud for years.

“California holds a strong commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and the integrity of public programs like Medi-Cal. The state has taken action against Medi-Cal fraud for years and utilizes robust oversight mechanisms to protect the integrity of Medi-Cal programs and preserve public confidence,” the spokesperson said.

Colorado “takes oversight of our Medicaid programs very seriously, and prioritizes finding and rooting out fraud when it occurs, including referring to law enforcement,” according to a statement from Gov. Jared Polis’ spokesperson.

Reps for the other seven governors’ offices and state health agencies in the states did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Suburban mom accused of killing ex, his parents after ‘hang out’ text, confession revealed in docs: report

Shocking Suburban Crime: Mom Allegedly Murders Ex & In-Laws After Cryptic Text – Confession Details Unveiled

Authorities have unveiled new details regarding a 30-year-old woman from Indiana, charged…
Wisconsin high school teacher charged with sexual assault of students, allegedly gave minors wine

Wisconsin Teacher Accused of Assaulting Students and Supplying Alcohol

A young special education teacher, aged 22, is confronting potentially lengthy prison…
Supreme Court toes 'glaring red line' with Trump in birthright citizenship case after tariff ruling

Supreme Court Faces Controversy in Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Case Following Tariff Decision

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s bold initiative to terminate birthright citizenship is poised…
Wild bodycam video shows cops storm chaotic teen ‘takeover’ as businesses trashed: 'They come to fight'

Intense Bodycam Footage Reveals Police Response to Chaotic Teen Takeover and Business Vandalism

Intense footage captured by body cameras reveals the moment police in Florida…
Chicago’s Brandon Johnson blasts 'assaults against immigrants' as slain Sheridan Gorman is laid to rest

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Condemns Attacks on Immigrants at Sheridan Gorman’s Funeral

Amidst the sorrowful backdrop of Sheridan Gorman’s funeral, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson…
NYC cop shoots, kills pit bull mauling woman in Queens

Heroic NYC Officer Stops Pit Bull Attack, Saves Woman in Queens

In a late-night incident on Monday, a New York City police officer…
Bruce Blakeman denied matching campaign funds by Democrats

Bruce Blakeman’s Campaign Fund Request Rejected by Democrats: Impact on Political Landscape

In a significant setback for New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman,…
Russia allegedly sharing satellite intelligence on US bases with Iran, world leader claims

World Leader Claims Russia is Sharing Satellite Intelligence on U.S. Bases with Iran

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised alarms about Russian reconnaissance satellites capturing…
Hearing postponed for Jenna Strouble, woman charged in Crete Township triple homicide; new details revealed in court

Hearing for Jenna Strouble, Accused in Crete Township Triple Homicide, Delayed as New Court Details Emerge

A woman facing charges for the murder of her children’s father and…
Illini merch in demand at Chicago stores as fans prepare for Final Four match against UConn

Score Big: Chicago Stores See Surge in Illini Merch as Fans Gear Up for Epic Final Four Clash with UConn

CHICAGO (WLS) — Anticipation is reaching fever pitch as Illinois prepares to…
Army pilots suspended after Kid Rock low-altitude helicopter flyover

Army Pilots Suspended Following Low-Altitude Helicopter Flyover at Kid Rock Event

The U.S. Army has taken action against the crew involved in a…
Wisconsin mother stabs teen daughter to death to 'protect' her from Elon Musk: authorities

Tragic Wisconsin Case: Mother Claims Elon Musk Influence in Fatal Daughter Stabbing

A mother from Wisconsin, reportedly under the influence of drugs, has been…