WASHINTGON – The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services has deferred payments of up to $2 billion dollars in Medicaid funding to Minnesota this year amid fraud investigations.
“If the state cannot get a handle on this fraud, as we find more, we intend to withhold more payments moving forward until the state cleans up its act,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said on a video on social media.
Minnesota caregivers and Service Employees International Union Healthcare members say the Trump administration is unfairly targeting vulnerable people.
Duluth caregiver Andrea Hannick said the Trump administration has its eyes on Minnesota because it has a governor “who dares to stand up to the president.”
“They hate Minnesota so much, they’re willing to let our disabled and elderly loved ones die to punish us,” Hannick said at a press conference at the Minnesota capitol.
“The state mismanaged its program and federal taxpayers should not be held liable,” Oz said.
“Do they care at all people are getting hurt by these cuts? Trump, Dr. Oz, all of you, stop playing games. People are suffering, people are actually going to die and are dying,” 76-year-old homecare worker Deb Housey said.
