Representative Sharice Davids supports a bipartisan bill to stop Medicaid from making payments for deceased individuals. A federal audit of 14 states found over $249 million in improper payments. While Davids supports strengthening Medicaid, she also wants to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

In 2023, improper Medicaid payments were just 5 percent, a decrease from the previous year. Most errors were due to missing paperwork, such as states or providers not completing administrative steps.

The LIVE Beneficiaries Act, which Davids backed last year, would require states to check the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File every three months to confirm Medicaid enrollees are still alive. If discrepancies arise, states must remove deceased individuals from Medicaid to prevent insurance companies from billing for them.

The audit urges better oversight by matching Medicaid records with death records to help states avoid making these costly mistakes.