California's In-Home Care Program, Mostly Staffed by Relatives, Faces Third Federal Medicaid Hold as CMS Defers $1.2 Billion

Federal health officials are holding back another $1.2 billion in Medicaid payments to California, the third deferral this year aimed largely at the state's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced the action in the Oval Office on Oct. 20 and said the state was notified that day, according to Becker's Hospital Review.

A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom said $1.1 billion of the new hold is tied to in-home care, bringing total in-home care deferrals to $2.8 billion. The governor's office called the move an attempt to use vulnerable Californians as political pawns.