According to a potentially hugely important news release that it published on its official website, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which operates under the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-led Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is now engaging in a nationwide push to purge illegal aliens from public health insurance programs.
The press release, which came on Tuesday, August 19, CMS announced that it would be purging ineligible Medicaid enrollees by upholding the citizenship and legal residency requirements attached to the public health insurance program, a move that will hopefully protect taxpayer funding while also encouraging self-deportation by illegal aliens.
Beginning the press release, CMS noted, “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today launched an oversight initiative to ensure that enrollees in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or have a satisfactory immigration status.”
Continuing, it noted that it will be working through the federal databases that note who the citizens and legal residents are, saying, “CMS will begin providing states with monthly enrollment reports identifying individuals whose citizenship or immigration status could not be confirmed through federal databases, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.”
Further, CMS noted that while it is taking action on this front, really it is the responsibility of the states to ensure that those who are receiving the public health insurance benefits are in America legally, providing, “States are responsible for reviewing cases, verifying the citizenship or immigration status of identified individuals, requesting additional documentation if needed, and taking appropriate actions when necessary, including adjusting coverage or enforcing non-citizen eligibility rules.”
Adding to that, it noted that it is providing information to states on what enrollees it has found should not be on their state-level Medicaid rolls, and is demanding states both take immediate action to purge the rolls and keep up with it on a monthly basis. It said, “CMS is sending the first set of reports to states today, with all states receiving a report over the course of a month. We expect states to take quick action and will monitor progress on a monthly basis.”
Concluding its announcement, CMS noted that while illegal aliens can receive some public benefits in certain circumastances, the Medicaid issue will be cracked down upon. It said, “Individuals without satisfactory immigration status may only receive limited services in certain circumstances. This initiative reflects CMS’ unwavering commitment to enforcing federal eligibility rules, supporting state compliance, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of Medicaid and CHIP for future generations.”
"*" indicates required fields
HHS head RFK Jr., commenting on the matter in the statement, noted that these changes are being made to protect the program from abuse so that it remains intact for the needy Americans who rely upon it. He said, on that note, “Medicaid is a lifeline for vulnerable Americans — and I will protect it from abuse.”
Continuing, the HHS Secretary explained that enforcement will be tightly restricted to ensure that only those who are legally entitled to access the programs can do so, saying, “We are tightening oversight of enrollment to safeguard taxpayer dollars and guarantee that these vital programs serve only those who are truly eligible under the law.”
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz commented on the matter as well, saying, “Every dollar misspent is a dollar taken away from an eligible, vulnerable individual in need of Medicaid and CHIP. This action underscores our unwavering commitment to program integrity, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and ensuring benefits are strictly reserved for those eligible under the law.”
Watch Rep. Eric Burlison allege that California’s Medicaid program is diverting federal funding to illegal aliens on Medicaid here: