Trending Now - California Faces Historic Medicaid Funding Freeze by Trump Admin

WHO:

CalMatters - Trump administration, California state health officials, Vice President J.D. Vance, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Tyler Sadwith, Doug Moore, United Domestic Workers.

Letters from an American - Trump, Eric Trump, Don Jr., Jared Kushner, Péter Magyar, Viktor Orbán, Paul Krugman.

WHAT:

CalMatters - The Trump administration is suspending $1.1 billion in Medicaid funding from California’s home health program over fraud concerns.

CalMatters - The suspension is described as the “largest deferral we’ve ever made” by Dr. Mehmet Oz.

CalMatters - California’s In-home Supportive Services (IHSS) helps about 900,000 older Californians and people with disabilities.

CalMatters - The federal government is also withholding another $200 million tied to administrative claims.

Letters from an American - Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 70 donors or allies convicted of fraud.

Letters from an American - Trump’s sons Eric and Don Jr. have invested in a drone manufacturer selling weapons to Gulf countries.

WHERE:

CalMatters - California, specifically regarding the In-home Supportive Services (IHSS).

Letters from an American - China, where Trump is on a state visit.

WHEN:

CalMatters - The federal freeze follows a similar action in Minnesota in February.

Letters from an American - Trump’s birthday is mentioned as the date for a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event on the White House lawn.

WHY:

CalMatters - The Trump administration cites fraud concerns as the reason for withholding funds, claiming California is an outlier with home health spending growing at twice the rate of other states.

Letters from an American - The administration's actions are seen as a way to punish perceived political enemies and to address concerns about corruption.

HOW:

CalMatters - The Trump administration is implementing a nationwide moratorium barring new hospice providers from enrolling in Medicare.

Letters from an American - Trump is negotiating with the Department of Justice to settle a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 11:41 UTC)

The Trump administration is suspending $1.1 billion in Medicaid funding from California’s home health program due to fraud concerns, which Dr. Mehmet Oz described as the largest deferral ever made. This suspension affects the In-home Supportive Services program, which assists around 900,000 older Californians and people with disabilities, and is part of a broader federal freeze that follows a similar action in Minnesota earlier this year. Additionally, Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of over 70 donors or allies convicted of fraud, while his sons, Eric and Don Jr., have invested in a drone manufacturer that sells weapons to Gulf countries.