Augusta, Maine — The Trump administration’s top Medicare official has claimed that alleged entitlement fraud in Maine may resemble a major welfare fraud case uncovered in Minnesota, though he did not present public evidence to substantiate the comparison.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz made the remarks during a weekend appearance on John Catsimatidis’s “Cats Roundtable” radio show, stating that Maine “looks a lot like Minnesota” when it comes to alleged abuse of social services programs. Oz described the situation as “another big crisis” but did not cite audits, indictments, or investigative findings during the interview.
Maine Republicans have raised concerns following allegations from a whistleblower who claimed millions of dollars were improperly taken from the state’s Medicaid program. State Sen. Matt Harrington (R) has called for a formal investigation, labeling the allegations a betrayal of taxpayers in prior media interviews.
Oz compared Maine’s situation to a Minnesota case in which federal investigators estimate roughly $1 billion was fraudulently diverted from federally funded social service programs. The administration has linked that case to members of Minnesota’s Somali community, a claim that has drawn significant criticism and scrutiny.
Oz also alleged that Maine’s case involves the state’s Somali population and said he sent a letter outlining his concerns to Gov. Janet Mills (D). Mills has rejected the administration’s immigration enforcement actions and called for congressional oversight following recent federal operations in the state.
Oz said his agency estimates roughly $100 billion in annual fraud across Medicare and Medicaid programs nationwide.
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