At a Senate Budget Committee hearing about the Medicaid program, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) asked Andy Schneider, of Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families, whether states should be punished for cheating the Medicaid program out of money by letting non-eligible people stay enrolled, because more enrollees bring more Medicaid funds to the state.
"Senator, I do not believe states are cheating," Schneider said.
"I'm glad you have some water in front of you, because your pants are on fire," Kennedy replied. "What planet did you just parachute in from?" he asked. "Do you believe in the tooth fairy, sir? Do you believe in the Easter Bunny? Do you believe that Jimmy Hoffa died of natural causes?"
"I don't mean to be rude, but if you really believe there's no cheating, you need to put down the bong," he said to Schneider. "That's one of the most extraordinary statements I've ever heard a witness make."
Other witnesses at the hearing on Tuesday disagreed with Schneider. Brian Blase, PhD, founder and president of the Paragon Health Institute, said a report issued Monday by his organization found that improper enrollment of certain Medicaid beneficiaries cost the federal government about $33 billion in 2024.
