$259 Million on Hold: Oz Demands Minnesota Fix Medicaid ‘Leadership Failure’

Dr. Mehmet Oz announced that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has 60 days to respond to federal fraud concerns after the Trump administration temporarily halted $259.5 million in Medicaid funding to the state. Standing alongside Vice President JD Vance, Oz said the funds will only be released if Minnesota submits and implements a “comprehensive corrective action plan.” He emphasized the move targets state leadership not residents and urged concerned providers and beneficiaries to contact the governor’s office. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s pledge during his State of the Union address to launch a nationwide “war on fraud.” In addition to the Minnesota action, CMS will temporarily block new Medicare enrollments for certain medical equipment suppliers as part of a broader crackdown.