West
Top Republican demands answers from Newsom, feds over wrongful Medicaid payments to California immigrants
EXCLUSIVE: The top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee is demanding answers from both the Newsom and Biden administrations regarding promised repayment of $52 million in “improperly claimed” Medicaid disbursements made via “MediCal” to certain immigrants.
Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa sent letters to both California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, requesting updates on the Golden State’s promise to return to the feds $52 million in wrongful disbursements from payouts to “noncitizens with unsatisfactory immigration status[es].”
In response to a previous Fox News Digital inquiry on the matter, a representative for the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) acknowledged the findings of an inspector general’s report on the matter and pledged to repay the feds by June 30.
CALIFORNIA AGREES TO REPAY FEDS $52M IN IMPROPERLY-CLAIMED IMMIGRANT MEDICAID DISBURSEMENTS
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. (Getty Images)
“The investigation found that the state over-counted its reimbursable emergency care percentage by 8.49 percent, and had improperly claimed $52,652,698 from the start of October 2018 to the end of June 2019,” Grassley wrote to Newsom regarding Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Christi Grimm’s probe.
“HHS OIG recommended that California refund the $52.7 million improperly claimed during that period and work with CMS to find any additional improperly claimed reimbursements for periods outside of the OIG audit.”
Grassley added that it appears California did not adjust its algorithm for determining Medicaid disbursements to such immigrants, after the inspector general’s report made the recommendation.
“As of today, [they] remain unimplemented. Each state must ensure that proper care is taken to protect the American taxpayer from fraud, waste, and abuse,” Grassley wrote.
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Grassley followed up with a list of questions he wanted Newsom to answer by Sept. 5.
“Has California repaid any portion of the money it improperly received from the federal Medicaid program? If so, how much and when? If not, why not?” he wrote.
“What is California’s current methodology to quantify its portion of reimbursable income?”
Grassley also noted California’s annual budget is around $300 billion, therefore, questioning why the California DHCS is using a “manual process” to repay the feds rather than an immediate lump sum.
The May audit conducted by Grimm underlined that federal Medicaid benefits are usually limited only to citizens and “qualified” noncitizens. Examples of qualified noncitizens are refugees, people granted asylum or those lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
The audit covered more than $372 million in federal Medicaid reimbursements made on behalf of noncitizens during FY 2019.
The report, in part, blamed outdated algorithmic metrics on California’s end for the discrepancy in “improperly claimed” Medicaid reimbursements for the particular noncitizen class.
In comments to Fox News Digital, Grassley said economic conditions created by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have led to households now “struggling, and having to stretch their dollars in every which way.”
“Meanwhile, California is providing federal health insurance to ineligible illegal immigrants using taxpayers’ hard-earned money,” he added.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. (Getty Images)
“It’s a slap in the face, and we ought to know what CMS is doing to collect the improper reimbursements California confirmed it owed months ago.”
In his corresponding letter to Brooks-LaSure, Grassley noted the Social Security Act of 1935 requires the feds to reimburse states via her agency for a percentage of their Medicaid costs.
He said that, for “noncitizens with unsatisfactory immigration status,” only “emergency services” are typically covered after five years of coverage.
MediCal (the state’s equivalent to Medicaid) “uses state funds to provide full coverage for noncitizens with UIS by paying each managed care plan a monthly capitation,” Grassley said.
He similarly asked Brooks-LaSure whether California repaid their liability, and whether her agency has initiated any type of review to prevent this from happening in the future.
Meanwhile, illegal immigrants remain ineligible overall for federal coverage and disbursements under the Affordable Care Act, according to HealthCare.gov.
Fox News Digital reached out to CMS for an independent update on California’s agreed-upon repayment of the Medicaid remittances.
In a statement at the time, an official with California’s DHCS expressed plans to repay the requested amount by June 30.
“Additionally, DHCS has worked with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to develop and implement a more refined service identification methodology with updated payment and claiming processes,” the spokesperson said.
UPDATE: A spokesperson for the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Service said California has since returned the $52 million cited in the inspector general’s report.
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The San Francisco Giants have at least one prospect that is shaping up to be a future star.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report put together a list of the 25 best prospects that are 20 years or younger and one member of the Giants farm system made the cut, first baseman Bryce Eldridge.
“An imposing 6’7″, 223-pound slugger who was one of the best two-way players in the 2023 draft class, Eldridge has turned his full attention to hitting in his first full professional season,” said Reuter. “He has only scratched the surface of what could be some of the best raw power of any prospect.”
The future San Francisco first baseman came in at No. 20 on the list and was the third-highest player at his position.
He was the No. 16 overall selection in the first round of the 2023 MLB draft and has proven to be a bit of a value. If the draft were to be redone today, he might go a few spots higher.
The 19-year-old could have been an elite player at either pitcher or in the field. His size is that of the modern day ideal pitching prospect with the tall and lanky guys Noah Schultz for the Chicago White Sox and Andrew Painter of the Philadelphia Phillies taking over.
Instead, he went the route of adding a bit of muscle and going to first base to develop his bat. As of now, that looks like it was a great decision.
He made it up to High-A earlier this season and has looked better than he has at any other stop. Over 41 games, he has a .309/.425/.510 slashing line.
The power has been there, a 17 home runs season over 92 games. That’s about the same pace as he was on last season.
If the Giants are smart, they’ll keep him around for the future rather than trading him to chase a quick World Series title.
As of right now, Eldridge is expected to make the jump to the big leagues around 2026. That would be perfect timing as that’s when current first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. is expected to hit free agency.
Wade would be entering his age 32 season and will likely fetch a nice price tag if he continues his trajectory. Being able to stay at a lower price tag while building to the future will be nice.
That decision is down the road, though. For now, San Francisco needs to focus on continuing to develop his bat.
Denver, CO
Notes from the Enemy: Denver Broncos name Bo Nix starer, Sean Payton talks rebuild, Zach Allen talks defense and more
Happy Sunday one and all.
The Arizona Cardinals take on the Denver Broncos who made some big announcements this week and our friends over at Mile High Report have all that and more before this afternoons game.
Enjoy.
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In a preseason riddled with poor performances and injuries, the Cleveland Browns can now turn their attention towards the start of the regular season.
Despite losing 37-33 against the Seattle Seahawks on the road in a late night matchup, this was the best preseason performance for the Browns.
Here are three players who deserve recognition as stars of the game.
Huntley saved his best for last in the preseason finale. The former Baltimore Ravens quarterback went 17 of 22 for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
This bodes very well from a Browns perspective for a few reasons. If the organization decides to keep him on the roster, then this is proof that Huntley still has the skills to be a quality backup and provide valuable depth. An even more likely scenario is that Huntley could have just increased his trade value.
If the Browns do decide to proceed with Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the thought would likely be that Cleveland will hope to get something in return for Huntley instead of just releasing him.
Woods finds himself among a group of wide receivers battling for the final roster spots in the room. He made a strong case for himself on the night with five receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore are the obvious locks as the top three wide receivers. After that, Cedric Tillman is likely safe and despite being out injured for a bit, Kevin Stefanski stated that David Bell was having a strong training camp and preseason.
Assuming that the organization keeps six receivers on the 53-man roster, Jamari Thrash and Woods are likely the two going head to head for the final spot. Although Thrash likely has the advantage as a rookie with several strong performances in a row, perhaps Woods just opened up room for another conversation.
Could you keep seven receivers and go with two tight ends on the 53-man roster?
Diabate shined last year in the preseason as a rookie. Now in his second year, the linebacker continues to impress.
On Saturday night, Diabate tallied three tackles and one sack against the Seahawks.
He should be an asset on special teams in kick coverage this year, but could also be the fifth or sixth linebacker on the roster.
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