Medicaid is a vital joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for individuals with limited income or resources. However, concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse threaten its ability to serve those who need it most.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recently stated that his agency, along with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has identified at least $14 billion in improper Medicaid enrollments.

According to Oz, some individuals are wrongly enrolled in multiple states, leading to unnecessary federal expenditures.

Starting next year, a new measure will require many able-bodied Medicaid enrollees under age 65 to demonstrate that they work, volunteer, or pursue education in exchange for health insurance coverage. Currently, Arkansas is the only state enforcing a work requirement that removes individuals due to noncompliance.

Oz emphasized the need to clean up Medicaid to ensure it prioritizes services for individuals with disabilities and others in genuine need. He also suggested that Republicans maintain a work requirement for eligibility, arguing that such measures will save money, reduce waste, and promote personal responsibility.