ICYMI: KSTP: Rep. Michele Bachmann Wants Federal Audit of Medicaid And HMOs

Congresswoman Bachmann says taxpayers need to know where their 4-billion dollars go when the HMOs spend the money on Medicaid.  Rep. Bachmann, (R) 6th District, says she is writing a bill that will create an independent federal audit of the HMOs and the state's Medicaid program.

Bachmann says the lack of federal oversight into the program is "shocking." The four HMOs, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota, Medica, U-Care and HealthPartners get two-billion dollars from the state and another 2-billion in federal matching dollars to run the Medicaid program.

Bachmann says it is imperative to find out if the state is inflating its Medicaid costs to draw down more federal tax dollars than they are entitled to. Right now, there is a federal investigation into the Medicaid program here in Minnesota and the State Legislative Auditor says he intends to look into the program as well. We have asked the four HMOs repeatedly for on-camera interviews over the past year and each time they have declined.

Note: To view the original article on KSTP.com, click here.