California’s Medicaid Expenditure Under Scrutiny Over Coverage of Spiritual Practices

Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana criticized California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, during a recent hearing. The program is under investigation by the Trump administration for alleged fraudulent activities. Kennedy referred to reports indicating that Medi-Cal funds exorcisms and spiritual healing methods.

Since 2019, California’s Medicaid spending has escalated sharply, increasing from approximately $100.7 billion to an anticipated $222 billion by 2026. Last week, the Trump administration halted $1.4 billion in federal funding for home health and hospice services in California due to a suspected $600 million fraud identified by Vice President J.D. Vance’s anti-fraud task force.

During the questioning of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Kennedy expressed concern about taxpayer funds being used for religious practices typically linked to the Catholic Church, along with other indigenous ceremonies. He challenged the authorities on why such expenses have been funded for such a long period.

“California’s got 12% of the population in the last ten years,” Kennedy stated. “They’re responsible for half of these new so-called health providers to provide exorcisms and other things. Now, what are we doing about it? Why has this gone on for so long?”

The Wall Street Journal initially reported that California offers Medicaid coverage for exorcism and similar spiritual rituals. In 2024, Medi-Cal expanded its coverage to include traditional healers and natural helpers for tribal communities. This expansion supports services like music therapy and spiritual ceremonies, according to information from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.

To be recognized as a traditional healer, an individual must serve as a spiritual leader within an American Indian tribe for at least two years and partner with an Indian Health Care Provider. Conversely, the criteria are less rigorous for ‘natural helpers’. These individuals may simply be trusted members of a tribe.

Governor Gavin Newsom aimed to address historical injustices faced by tribes through this expansion. In a press release, he emphasized that this move was part of ongoing efforts to rectify the inequities resulting from past atrocities against Native tribes in the U.S.

The exact Medi-Cal expenditure on services by traditional healers and natural helpers remains unspecified. The California Department of Health and Human Services did not reply to Fox News Digital’s inquiry before publication.

Elaine Mallon is a Fox News Digital and Fox Business writer, focusing on national politics.