- Personal Finance. Here's when Medicaid work requirements could start: the timetable is confirmed
- Personal Finance. Here's what the budget bill ed by the House of Representatives means for your money
The U.S. government is cracking down on states that provide health coverage to immigrants in the country illegally, signaling a new wave of federal enforcement.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a key federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services, announced plans to increase scrutiny on how states use federal Medicaid funds.
Federal oversight tightens on Medicaid spending for noncitizens
The move follows the age of President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill, which explicitly excludes non-citizens from Medicaid and penalizes states that attempt to provide such coverage using their own resources.
This heightened oversight targets states that have allegedly stretched Medicaid rules to include individuals with unsatisfactory immigration status, despite federal law only allowing emergency services for this group.
With over 71 million Americans relying on Medicaid, CMS officials argue that this misuse places an undue burden on taxpayers and undermines the system's integrity.
CMS Dr. Mehmet Oz emphasized that Medicaid should not be used as a tool to circumvent immigration policy, stating that federal dollars must not those ineligible under current law.
To address the issue, the agency is implementing a range of oversight actions.
These include targeted reviews of state Medicaid spending reports, detailed inspections of financial management practices, and a thorough assessment of eligibility protocols to close any existing loopholes.
States found to be non-compliant could face significant consequences.
CMS Deputy Drew Snyder made it clear that if states fail to correct course, the federal government will intervene directly.
This includes the potential for financial penalties and the recoupment of any federal funds spent improperly.
In line with President Trump's Executive Order on Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders, this initiative aims to realign federal health programs with the istration's broader immigration and fiscal priorities.
CMS is also calling on states to update internal procedures, cost allocation strategies, and eligibility verification systems to ensure they're in full compliance moving forward.
As the agency overseeing Medicaid, Medicare, and other national health programs, CMS plays a crucial role in maintaining both the quality and legality of services provided.
With more than 6,000 employees and oversight of various health facilities and systems, its efforts are likely to reshape how states approach health care for noncitizens, with penalties looming for those that step out of line.