As states follow Trump’s Medicaid fraud playbook, people with disabilities struggle to find care

Medicaid fraud schemes, mirroring tactics previously employed by Donald Trump's administration, are increasingly impacting states, leading to significant challenges for individuals requiring long-term care, particularly those with disabilities. Jennifer Kucera, a resident of Berea, Ohio, who has spinal muscular atrophy and relies on Medicaid-funded providers for daily assistance, shared her experiences of receiving inadequate and abusive care in a nursing home, including contracting scabies and enduring physical and sexual assault. These incidents highlight the severe consequences of fraudulent practices within the Medicaid system, which compromise the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations. The article suggests a pattern of exploitation where fraudulent providers exploit loopholes and misappropriate funds intended for essential services, leaving recipients like Kucera without the necessary support and protection. The continuation of such schemes across various states indicates a systemic issue that requires urgent attention to ensure the integrity of Medicaid and the safety of its beneficiaries.