CMS orders states to verify Medicaid immigration status
The Trump administration directed state Medicaid agencies to investigate certain enrollees’ immigration status, with CMS beginning in August to send states lists of names to review. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz claimed on Oct. 31 that over $1 billion was spent on Medicaid for undocumented immigrants in five states and D.C., a figure several states dispute as inaccurate; initial tallies show more than 170,000 names flagged across Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah, with more to come. The directive could lead to coverage losses for enrollees who miss paperwork deadlines and adds administrative burden for states, including Minnesota.
Health
Government/Regulatory
📌 Key Facts
- CMS began sending states lists in August to check Medicaid eligibility tied to immigration status
- Mehmet Oz claimed $1B+ in Medicaid spending on undocumented immigrants; Colorado, Illinois and Washington disputed the figures
- Reported counts: CO ~45,000; OH 61,000; PA 34,000; TX 28,000; UT 8,000; Medicaid spending was ~$900B in FY2024