DeSantis’ Program To Target Medicaid Fraud Deemed Role Model For States
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is nearing the end of his state constitutionally-limited time in office, with his second term expiring in January.
But he is leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments that, taken together, is a diagram for conservative policy successes that enhance lives, save taxpayer money, and grow economies.
In June, the Republican governor and former congressman launched a statewide Medicaid Integrity Initiative focused on combating fraud rather than restricting legitimate medical treatment.
Under the initiative, Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration is partnering with identity-verification firm SentiLink to identify stolen or synthetic identities and concealed ownership structures before providers are approved to participate in Medicaid, rather than uncovering fraud years later through criminal investigations.
The program also requires every active Medicaid provider in Florida to revalidate their credentials or risk removal from the program.
In addition, the state has imposed enrollment moratoriums on certain high-risk provider categories as part of its broader effort to strengthen oversight and reduce fraud within the Medicaid system.
According to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the state has terminated or denied Medicaid enrollment for more than 3,200 providers over the past two years and recovered more than $72 million in improper payments during the last year. State officials say those enforcement actions target fraudulent claims and do not affect reimbursement for legitimate medical services provided to eligible patients.
Supporters of the initiative argue that the rapid growth in Medicaid spending on autism services underscores the need for stronger oversight.
In a June National Review article, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) noted that nationwide Medicaid spending on autism therapy increased by 403% between 2019 and 2024.
Kennedy also highlighted Minnesota, where Medicaid spending on autism services reportedly rose from approximately $670,000 to $342.8 million during that period.
Federal prosecutors have charged two clinic operators there with allegedly fraudulently billing $46.6 million for autism therapy services that investigators say were never provided.
Critics say investigators are likely to find more such fraudulent operations.
Separately, an audit by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found that Maine made at least $45.6 million in improper Medicaid payments for autism services during one review period.
The audit was part of a broader federal examination that identified up to $600 million in potentially questionable Medicaid billing across Indiana, Wisconsin, Maine, and Colorado.
Florida has not faced a major Medicaid fraud indictment involving autism services on the scale seen in some other states, but DeSantis isn’t waiting for one, either
He has said the state is taking preventive steps to strengthen oversight before such problems emerge.
Other states have pursued different approaches to controlling Medicaid costs. According to Axios, Nebraska reduced Medicaid reimbursement rates for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy by as much as 80% last year.
Indiana lawmakers have considered payment caps, while New York has weighed similar reimbursement reductions.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has also proposed Medicaid budget cuts that families and providers argue could reduce access to services for children with autism.
Supporters of Florida’s Medicaid Integrity Initiative argue that the state’s strategy differs from across-the-board reimbursement cuts because it focuses on identifying fraudulent providers rather than reducing payments for legitimate services.
Critics of reimbursement reductions in states such as Colorado and New York have argued that broad cuts risk affecting both fraudulent operators and providers delivering medically necessary care.
The long-term success of Florida’s Medicaid Integrity Initiative will depend largely on how effectively it distinguishes fraudulent providers from legitimate ones, reports noted.
Families connected to Reflection Services ABA Therapy in Lake Worth have said their children’s Medicaid coverage ended abruptly and that they were not given a clear explanation by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Those concerns have raised questions about how the state’s enhanced screening process.
How the state handles cases like these may determine whether Florida’s emphasis on fraud prevention is viewed as an effective reform or becomes the subject of broader criticism over its impact on patients and legitimate providers, reports noted.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
