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This brief describes recent HHS actions related to Medicaid program integrity and outlines some open questions about the future of Medicaid program integrity, including which states might become a focus of administration effort.
In February 2026, there were 345,000 fewer children enrolled in Medicaid/the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) compared to before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, a 1% decline, according to the latest data from CMS.
On June 1, 2026, CMS issued an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements that adopts a restrictive definition of medical frailty—differing from states’ early expectations. The more restrictive definition will be challenging for states to implement and could lead to more people falling through the cracks and losing coverage.
Medicaid represents $1 out of every $5 spent on health care in the U.S. and is the major source of financing for states to provide health coverage and long-term care. This brief examines key questions about Medicaid financing and how it works.
This brief explains what is known about improper payments and fraud and abuse in Medicaid and describes ongoing state and federal actions to address program integrity.
All states except Alaska cover some state Medicaid costs with taxes on health care providers. This brief uses data from KFF’s 2024-2025 survey of Medicaid directors to describe current practices and the federal rules governing them.
Absorbing reductions in Medicaid spending could be challenging for hospitals, particularly for those that are financially vulnerable. This brief provides data on the reach of Medicaid across hospitals, patients, and charity care.
This issue brief provides an overview of what Medicaid home care (also known as “home- and community-based services”) is, who is covered, and what services were available in 2025.
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