Senator Kennedy challenges witness on alleged Medicaid cheating during hearing

At a congressional hearing on Medicaid reforms, Sen. John Kennedy sharply criticized Democratic witness Andy Schneider, a Georgetown public-policy professor, for claiming that states do not engage in systematic fraud. Kennedy told Schneider to “put down the bong,” comparing his stance to belief in the Easter Bunny and the tooth fairy. Schneider, who cited five decades of experience with Medicaid, warned that the GOP’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act could reduce enrollment and increase the uninsured rate.

GOP witness Brian Blase, president of the Paragon Health Institute, argued that numerous states suffer from improper enrollments. The hearing, chaired by Sen. Ron Johnson, also referenced recent Department of Health and Human Services actions that froze $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota over alleged abuse. The debate underscores the partisan split over how to address alleged Medicaid fraud while preserving coverage for low-income Americans.