Grassley Applauds CMS Effort to Crack Down on Duplicative Medicaid Enrollment That’s Costing Taxpayers Billions

WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is applauding an announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the agency will stop duplicative enrollment in government health programs, which could save taxpayers approximately $14 billion a year.
CMS found that an average of 1.2 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in two or more states for each month in 2024. CMS also found an average of 1.6 million people were enrolled in both Medicaid/CHIP and a subsidized Exchange plan each month.
“I’m glad to see CMS crack down on the billions in waste, fraud and abuse that I’ve long been calling out. It’s unacceptable that taxpayers have continued to foot the bill for this expensive fraud. CMS’s actions build on Republicans’ successful work in the One Big Beautiful Bill to enact critical measures to strengthen health care, all while curbing fraud,”Grassley said.
Background:
Earlier this month, Grassleypressed CMSto look into Obamacare fraud after receiving information that built on independent reports of widespread fraud. Last year, Grassleypushed for answersfrom top leaders in the Biden administration regarding their efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the ACA marketplace.
During Dr. Mehmet Oz’ confirmation hearing, Grassleyspoke about his concernsregarding billions in improper payments and the need for CMS to provide timely and complete responses to congressional oversight.
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