Medicaid Funds Frozen
HHS pauses Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota amid fraud concerns.
July 21, 2026 · Updated Jul 21, 9:06pm ET
Los Angeles TimesHHS withholds $867 million in Medicaid payments to California as part of 'crackdown on fraud'
CBS NewsTrump administration halts $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota as part of fraud crackdown
New York PostTrump administration freezes $867M in California Medicaid funds over suspected fraud
The GuardianRFK Jr pauses $1bn Medicaid funding to California and Minnesota
ABC NewsTrump administration says it's deferring $1B in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota
Washington TimesTrump administration says it’s deferring $1B in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota
World News GroupHHS blocks $1B in Medicaid funds to California and Minnesota
Washington ExaminerRFK Jr. pauses Medicaid reimbursement to Minnesota and California over fraud
The Daily WireRFK Punishes Blue States For Rampant Fraud Concerns
RedStateTrump Team Pauses $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds to CA and MN, Demands Proof Claims Are Legitimate
PJ MediaRobert Kennedy Pauses Medicaid Funds for Fraud-Riddled California, Minnesota
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Pano rates the coverage Mostly Right.
What happened
The Trump administration said Tuesday it is deferring more than $1 billion in federal Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, including $867 million for California and roughly $200 million for Minnesota. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services since 2025 said the funds will remain paused unless the states provide documentation showing the claims are legitimate. CMSCenters for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesUnited States federal agency reviews flagged suspected fraud and noncompliance, with scrutiny focused on personal care, home-based services and eligibility issues. California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom40th governor of California since 2019 called the move “pure politics.”
