Story perspectives

Minnesota Medicaid Holds $350M, 15 Charged in Autism Fraud

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said $350 million in Minnesota Medicaid payments is held until a corrective plan is approved.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald announced 15 Minnesota residents face $90 million Medicaid fraud charges.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called the autism fraud scheme the largest ever prosecuted, while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s unit reported over 340 convictions and $90 million restitution.

History

Historical Context

Medicaid, created by the 1965 Social Security Amendments, saw a major fraud crackdown after President Bill Clinton signed the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, leading the HHS OIG to recover $1.5 billion. Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Assistant AG Colin McDonald are suing providers for $90 million, reflecting the same oversight that governs a program covering over 92 million Americans.

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Story summary

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said $350 million in Minnesota Medicaid payments is held until a corrective plan is approved.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald announced 15 Minnesota residents face $90 million Medicaid fraud charges.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called the autism fraud scheme the largest ever prosecuted, while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s unit reported over 340 convictions and $90 million restitution.

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