Taxpayer-Funded Exorcisms? The Medicaid Debate Just Got Wild

California’s federally funded Medicaid program pays for exorcisms, herbal medicines, meal deliveries, and housing, among other services that don’t appear to be medically essential, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) pointed out this week.

Kennedy brought up California’s strange Medicaid payments during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday as he questioned Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The Trump administration is engaged in a nationwide effort to root out fraud and has zeroed in on Democrat-run states, including California and Minnesota.

During Tuesday’s hearing, which focused on the DOJ’s 2027 budget, Kennedy pointed out that for every $1 that California spends on Medicaid, American taxpayers spend $9 to prop up the system.

“California will actually pay a healthcare provider, I didn’t know this was a medical expertise, to pay for exorcisms,” Kennedy said.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board brought attention to California’s exorcism coverage in an op-ed published last week. In the piece, the Journal pointed out that exorcisms and tribal prayers are covered by Medicaid, along with activities “that support an eligible member’s inclusion in the community.”

“California Medicaid program will pay for herbal medicines, meal deliveries. They’ll pay for housing. I don’t know what housing has to do with healthcare,” Kennedy added. “Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Blanche replied.

“Were you aware that the Medicaid program, using federal taxpayer money, will pay for an in-home chef?” Kennedy asked.

“Yes, if it’s a family member,” Blanche said.

“They’ll even pay for gymnasium fees in California. They’ll pay for bicycles, scooters, gym memberships. Did you know that?” Kennedy asked.

“Yes,” Blanche said. “Several states do, but California does for sure.

California has also used Medicaid funds to repay qualifying individuals’ student loans “to encourage them to become a healthcare provider,” according to Kennedy.

“I was not aware of the student loans repayment,” Blanche said.

California’s Medicaid payments have come under the microscope, and the Trump administration froze $1.3 billion in federal funds for the program earlier this month. Vice President JD Vance blasted the state’s leaders last week, saying, “The state of California has not taken fraud very seriously.”

The state’s Medicaid fund has more than doubled since 2019, currently sitting at $220 billion, which is more than the entire general fund budget of any other state, according to the Journal.

Vance’s anti-fraud task force has also focused on the Republican-led state of Ohio, following an investigation by Daily Wire reporter Luke Rosiak that uncovered billions of dollars in dubious “personal services” payments, allowing individuals to be paid to spend time with their own family.